Mixing different breeds in a flock.

[Anniernc]

I love this site! What a wealth of information. I do have a question. I have four girls that were all to be new england Reds. Turned out that one is actually a Cochin and by far my favorite. She is the largest
of them all but they beat her up so bad on a daily basis that I had to separate them. I am getting ready to get new chicks this next Spring and wondered if the Cochins are ok to mix with the Brahmas. I know the Cochins are so docile that they tend to be picked on in mixed flocks and I am trying to avoid that. Thoughts?

Annie in Charlotte

 

[Bean789]

I love this site! What a wealth of information. I do have a question. I have four girls that were all to be new england Reds. Turned out that one is actually a Cochin and by far my favorite. She is the largest
of them all but they beat her up so bad on a daily basis that I had to separate them. I am getting ready to get new chicks this next Spring and wondered if the Cochins are ok to mix with the Brahmas. I know the Cochins are so docile that they tend to be picked on in mixed flocks and I am trying to avoid that. Thoughts?

Annie in Charlotte

I have a Mottled Cochin Bantam who is 3rd in the pecking order of 7 and who is pretty docile but can be bossy at times. She is sweet and adorably cute. My Buff Brahma bantam, is the problem child and 4th in the order of 7. She can be picky towards #7, our little Sultan, but my Orpington, #6, keeps her in line and protects the Sultan. Chickens are so amazing in their personalities. I think the New England Reds are a little more naturally aggressive and if it were me, still new to this though so ........ I would integrate the Cochin with the Brahams when the time comes. At least she will have company and someone who will like her and who will be more her temperament.

 

[Anniernc]

Thanks so much for this advice. I really do appreciate it. I am learning more about my girls every day. I think there are three problems with my big Cochin girl.
1. She is blonde and the other three are red.
2. She is docile.
3. She is often broody.

She has three strikes against her already! She is such a sweet girl and one way or another, I will make it work. I am thinking about doing two of each of the following:

Brahma, maran, orphington and astrolop. Of course, there will be at least 6 more Cochin chicks in there as well. Think it will work?

 

[Bean789]

Thanks so much for this advice. I really do appreciate it. I am learning more about my girls every day. I think there are three problems with my big Cochin girl.
1. She is blonde and the other three are red.
2. She is docile.
3. She is often broody.

She has three strikes against her already! She is such a sweet girl and one way or another, I will make it work. I am thinking about doing two of each of the following:

Brahma, maran, orphington and astrolop. Of course, there will be at least 6 more Cochin chicks in there as well. Think it will work?

A Buff Orpington or the regular size brahama would work very well, due to same color family, I think and they get to be very big girls with sweet personalities. I have 2 buffs in my 2nd flock and they are held every day, whether they are in the mood or not! LOL I am about to add a Black Copper Maran with a Silkie Mix chick (rescue) and possibly take a stab at some Cream Brabanters to hatch so the granddaughters can see the 'birth' process. Chicken math has gotten in my bones. Argh! I just keep adding different breeds that I don't already have. I have 2 Buff Orps cause I wanted some hens who would be a little more productive with eggs. Some of my bantams are not prolific layers.
By the end of next summer, we should be overrun with eggs!

My daughter says I have reached my limit. Hmmffff! What does she know!?!??!

 

[FlowerPower4]

I was wondering if a Russian Orloff could be in a mixed flock