Question about raising several different chickens in the same pen

[jen5680]

Ok i hope this doesn't sound like a stupid question. I am new to having chickens and I just love so many different kinds. I have 4 different breeds and i would love to be able to raise some pure breds out of this mixed up group. I no i would have to have a rooster and a hen of the same breed but what is the best way to seperate them so they only breed with there own kind and if they do hatch there eggs i wouldn't no who the father is ect. I would just have a bunch of mutts basically?
I no they need to be together and seperated so how is the best way to do this? i only have one large coop and one fenced off area.
thanks for any help you can give me.

ok one more question,
if i didn't seperate them and just let them "have at it" will the babies they have be any good? I have heard that they won't be. is this true?
i have Barred Rock
Austalorps
Buff Orpingtons and
Light Brahmas
thanks again.
Jen

 

[txredneckmedic]

They wont be show birds....but if their just for you who cares

 

[Ridgerunner]

Do a search on Speckledhen. She has posted pictures of her set-up for breeding purposes. I think it would answer some of your questions.

If you do not separate the breeds, some of them will be mutts. It depends on what you want from your chickens as to whether they will be any good. If you are interested in breeding acording to standards so you can show your chickens, no, they would not be good. If you are interested in egg layers or meat production, it depends on which breeds you cross. Practically all commercial egg laying houses have mutts. They are called sex link because they are crosses between specific breeds that can be sexed at hatch, but technically they are mutts. The most popular commercial meat producer is a mutt, a cross between the cornish and a rock.

The breeds you have should produce reasonably good egg layers and meat birds, called dual purpose. You'll also get some very interesting color combinations, especially in the third and later generations.

If you can't tell, I personally like mutts.

 

[jen5680]

Thank you soooo much. I will look her up and see her ideas. I personally don't mind mutts myself but I would love to get into showing them. maybe I should say. i don't no what is involved in all that but i am looking forward to finding out.
thanks again and have a good evening.
Jen