Needing help deciding

[Kelby675]

RIRs have a rep for being mean to other breeds, so maybe not a good mix with silkies, which tend to be very meek, I've read here. I don't have personal experience with these breeds myself though. I will give a hearty second vote for EEs, Easter Eggers. Great breed. Hardy and productive, laid-back, calm with other birds and people. Not subject to frostbite, good foragers. I also like Dominiques, they look a lot like Barred Plymouth Rocks but don't have the big single comb, so again, not subject to frostbite. Another calm, productive bird, brown eggs. Neither breed tends to be broody.

I was actually thinking of keeping the silkies separate from the others, just so size doesnt become a reason for bullying. If the "big kids" are going to pick on each other they will do it no matter what, but i dont want to subject the silkies to that if it can be helped.

 

[Iluveggers]

I've never had an RIR be mean to my other chickens. not even to the bantams, but I don't have much experience, so...

One of my neighbors added a bunch of RIRs to his established flock last year, because she heard they are good layers. One of her standard size Easter Eggers was housed separately when we went to chicken sit a few weeks ago. I asked her about it, and she said the young RIRs are so mean to her when they can’t free range they would most likely kill her, so she put het up for the few days they were away. Here I was thinking she was separated because she was broody