Not A Poll Just Curious

[fluffycrow]

I've always has mixed flocks. Not sure if it was because I liked it that way, or just because chicken math. Now that I'd like to get more into breeding, I've found that as long as I mix breeds that lay different colored eggs into the flock, I'm good

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I started with 3 (buff orp, light brahma, whiting true blue) said that's all I need to supply me and the hubby with eggs, 6 months later I fugured I'd better get 3 more so I have eggs through the winter ( welsummer, OE, blue orp) It was all down hill after that, every 6ish months I was getting 3 more, beautiful colorful egg basket and a wide variety of colored hens. Last year I got my first 3 English Orps, and I'm hooked. Sold my favaucana, blue orp, and BLRW, hatched a ton of orp chicks (kept 5) and now that's all I want is English Orps. Mind you my old ladies will live out their lives with me, but I won't be adding any new breeds.

 

[GreenJay]

I knew I would never be able to decide on one breed! Have 7 breeds in my flock of 9. Wanted a variety of egg colors and also beautiful birds , my biggest problem on choosing was heat tolerances. Don't ask which is the favorite, that changes daily...

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

I have a coop of mixed and a coop of one breed. My focus is the coop of one breed bc that's our dual purpose group. I am selling my mixed laying flock to someone as soon as my dual group starts laying regularly.

 

[Red Mangrove]

I'm honestly surprised to hear that my chicken style is so uncommon. Perhaps it's because I haven't turned my animals into a money making industry. Right now outside, I have all of the following breeds in a totally free range setting:

• Indio Gigante
• Red Junglefowl
• American Gamefowl
• Asil
• Cubalaya
• Rhode Island Red (they breed a little)
• Lavender Orpington (they don't breed thank God)
• Ameraucana
• "Easter Egger"

Here's a picture from this morning. These are just the birds that showed up for breakfast in the first couple of minutes:

My idea is to allow them to totally mix at free-will and allow nature to craft me a survival bird. I trust them

 

[jpalmatier83]

Having a small backyard flock I had never even thought of keeping a single breed. My first birds were 2xRSL, 2xASL, 2xBSL, and 2x white leghorn. The numbers have gone down and up since then but I’ve incorporated a couple barnyard mixes, a Brahma, a maran, a Wyandotte, an Orpington, etc.

Haven’t really considered breeding for more than, theoretically, adding to the flock or giving chicks to friends/family. Haven’t done it yet but I’m close. Pure lines/genetics are beyond my level of interest for the moment.

As many have said I like being able to identify individual birds and pick out their eggs by color. When a barnyard comes in it’s fun to see what the new eggs are going to look like.

Just an opinion from a recreational chicken keeper.

 

[Theorrin]

i like having a mixed flock. i love seeing all the different colors (and makes head counts easier for me). I also LOVE seeing the color crosses i get

 

[Suzz]

I really enjoy a mixed flock all different colored feathers are pretty and eggs of different colors that way you can keep track a little bit who’s laying and who’s slacking off

 

[TropicalBabies]

Good question, good conversation.
I started off with 4 breeds to see what one worked best for me in my warm humid climate. I rehomed the orps as they seemed to suffer, then built on the breed(s) that did the best. Light and Buff Brahma.
I will separate by breed for a few months when breeding true. But yeah, the 2 breed flock is all I can handle for the most part.
I do have a few barnyard that I totally love and feel they are the best of my flock.

 

[Dragon Slayer Trinket]

Mixed flock!

I have a lavender orpington, RIRs, BR, Jersey Giant, Wyandotte, Salmon Faverolles, Golden Deathlayer, Ayam Cemani, silkies, Brahmas, more that I'm definitely forgetting, and so many gorgeous mutts.

If I could only have one breed, it'd be Salmon Faverolles. Different coloring for sexes, and they're such sweet birds.