Mixing these 2 breeds

[and1223]

I currently have 1 year old - 13 Buff Orphington hens and I’m adding 6 New Hamshire Red chicks. But I think I made a mistake by not researching the temperaments of this breed. These NHR breed is supposed to be an aggressive breed. I’m worried now since my Buff Orphingtons are so sweet and docile. Any suggestions?

 

[aart]

I currently have 1 year old - 13 Buff Orphington hens

I have a 24 buff Orphington and Black Copper Maran hens and 1 BO Rooster. I was thinking of picking up a French Black Copper Maran Rooster Chick but not sure they will get along.

Am a bit confused about the chickens you already have.....maybe two different flocks and enclosures?

I’m worried now since my Buff Orphingtons are so sweet and docile. Any suggestions?

Guessing you may see the more ferocious side of the BO's when you add the chicks.
Breed demeanor can be sketchy, I wouldn't bank on it.
Has more to do with individual birds and sometimes their environment.

How old are the chicks?
I like to integrate early.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

But still observe the....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/


Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @and1223
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Ridgerunner]

My suggestion is to not worry about it. Many people have problems integrating Buff Orpingtons to Buff Orpingtons. Many many of us have all kinds of breeds mixed without issues.

From what I've observed the personality of the individual chicken is much more important than the breed. Practically everything is more important than breed.

If they have different maturity levels you can have issues, sometimes serious issues.

The more room you have the easier it is. Room does not just mean coop space. How much room you have inside and outside plus how you use the space available is important. The quality of that space can be important. By quality I mean can they get away from each other and stay out of line of sight. Sort of ties into Aart's "places to hide".

I assume those chicks are all female. Raising a cockerel with the flock adds some issues.

How you integrate them is much more important than breed.

 

[Severne]

My suggestion is to not worry about it. Many people have problems integrating Buff Orpingtons to Buff Orpingtons. Many many of us have all kinds of breeds mixed without issues.

From what I've observed the personality of the individual chicken is much more important than the breed. Practically everything is more important than breed.

If they have different maturity levels you can have issues, sometimes serious issues.

The more room you have the easier it is. Room does not just mean coop space. How much room you have inside and outside plus how you use the space available is important. The quality of that space can be important. By quality I mean can they get away from each other and stay out of line of sight. Sort of ties into Aart's "places to hide".

I assume those chicks are all female. Raising a cockerel with the flock adds some issues.

How you integrate them is much more important than breed.

I agree, they should be fine.