mixing chiken breeds

Date sort Score sort
jc17

jc17

In the Brooder
6 Years
Joined
Jul 10, 2013
Messages
49
Reaction score
3
Points
34
Location
Iowa
im looking to start anew flock being i lost most of my older hens. i loved rasing them but dont really want to do it again. i wanted to buy some older chickens but open up the types of breeds i have. i was wondering how bad of an idea it was to mix different breeds being they arent being raised together and some different ages?
 
Welcome to BYC! You can mix different breeds of chickens together, but you need to be careful mixing younger and older chickens together.
 
welcome-byc.gif
Maybe you could find different breeds at the same place so they are been raised together and would get along. Otherwise I suggest getting breeds of same general size (large fowl or bantams) and about the same age so they won't be picked on as much when grouped together. If you want them for eggs getting an older chicken will lessen her productive years.

If you mean chickens at point of lay,(about to start laying) that would be a good choice. Not too old but, past the chick stage. They will cost more than baby chicks because someone else has put the time and effort into raising them to that stage.
 
You may want to keep a close eye on your new mixed flock for a few days in case they don't get along. We have had chickens that have been raised together, are the same age, and of the same breed start picking on each other for no apparent reason. I think it mostly depends on the size of a pen and the amount of chickens that are in it. But, we have also had good luck with different breeds getting along when they are about the same size and age. Good Luck!!!!
 
thanks for all the help, i hope all goes well!
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom