Mixing Species

[gumpsgirl]

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Heck no! There wouldn't be a problem there at all! The only problem with mixing your flocks would be when you are trying to get a breeding program going. That would be a bit tricky then, but if that's not what your into doing, go ahead and mix them! I have all sorts together.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

If you still only want one breed but tons of different colors, get EE's. No two look exactly the same and the colored eggs are very fun.

 

[Akane]

That's because EEs are already a mix. Especially from most hatcheries. Sometimes they are crossed out so much you get a few that don't even lay colored eggs.

The different breeds of chickens are like different breeds of dog. Of course you can have mutts. I have some dark brown egg laying mutts that are actually better in my opinion than if I'd gotten purebreds. They lay huge speckled very dark brown eggs and have proven quite hardy. They were also cheap.

I have a few EE in there and I might add a few barnevelders to that flock this spring. Then I'm also thinking of mixing jap and dutch bantams to see what I'd get. I want some small house chickens but I don't want to get seramas.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

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I know

 

[farmergal]

One thing about mixing breeds: be careful about certain breeds (like Rhode Island Reds from hatcheries) that can be really aggressive. In my experience, hatchery RIRs plus hatchery EEs = pecked EEs. The EEs are sweet and submissive... I have a few girls who are always getting pecked (to the point of bleeding -- time to bring out the pine tar). And they're my favorite birds -- so personable and friendly.
If I were starting over from scratch and picking the "ideal" mixed flock, I'd go with all gentler, less aggressive breeds -- like orpingtons, light brahmas, EEs, barred rocks. If you're looking for a red bird for maximum color variety, maybe try New Hampshire Reds instead of RIRs? (Someone else can weigh in on this one -- I don't have any, but I've heard they're a bit less aggressive.)

Of course, if you start falling in love with chickens, you might eventually want non-hatchery birds... so if there's a local breeder who'll sell you chicks, so much the better!

 

[sweetshoplady]

I love my mixed flock. And if you have someone go broody, its really neat to see what hatches. Plus, you can name them all and easily tell them apart.

I've only heard nice things about the breeds that you've selected so you should have a nice group of ladies there.