yeah we give our girls goodies also, sunflower seeds, really good millet, and today they got thick vegetable beef soup with lots of veggies. Tam, I'm going to get a new flock block this weekend my girls love these.We believe the extras help. We give alfalfa, scratch and an organic layer feed. warm water plenty of deep bedding straw for the coop (which is insulated) and a little extra light and heat on cold short winter days. Don't feel too bad about the mixed flock thing. We did exactly the same thing when we were new and were lucky as well. I guess the lord protects newbies like us. NOW I would never try that without quarantine. I too read that after the fact. Live and learn.