Salmon Faverolle ok in a mixed flock?

[happymom99]

I read somewhere that Salmon Faverolles don't do well in a mixed flock because they are very docile and will be picked on a lot. What do you think? If you have any experience with this or opinion on this, I'd love to hear about it. I'd really like to get a SF, but not if she is going to be picked on incessantly or hurt.

Thank you,
CJ

 

[guineahen14]

Last spring I bought 5 salmon favorelle chicks and 5 brama and leghorn. When they were old enough I let them loose with my 25 other hens and they are all doing well. They have all lived together now for at least 6 months. Just raise them up with other breeds and make sure they are large enough to be with your older flock. Good luck they are a beautiful breed.

 

[gritsar]

I read the same thing. My three SFs are at the top of the pecking order in my mixed flock.

An added note: I also read that SFs are "occasionally broody". Mine are 11 months old. All three have been broody already, one is on her second clutch of chicks.

 

[pixiedouglas]

Mine aren't super old yet (11 weeks) but here's my experience so far. I read that same thing about them being at the bottom of the pecking order in a mixed flock. I definately had plans for a mixed flock so I wanted to make sure they grew up together rather than introduce an adult later and have her get beat up. My Faverolles are one week older than the majority of the rest of the flock. They are the last in and out of the coop at night. They are the last to get treats, they are the last to come out into the yard to range, they are the last up on the roosts at night. They don't get picked on a whole lot, but they are just so docile with the other chickens. However, in the last couple days the bigger one Flower has made friends with our presumed future head hen Butterscotch the Buff Orp and now she gets to range with the "in girls" in the yard. DH spotted her standing up for herself with the reds and the dellys. Petal on the other hand barely makes it out of the chicken run, she doesn't seem unhappy, I think maybe she's just not brave (or smart) enough to venture out, I have to put her up on the roost at night and have had to put her in the coop a couple times. She'll just stand outside and look confused.... So, I think it depends on the birds and your flock. It's probably a good idea to have them grow up with the other hens to minimize them getting picked on.

 

[henney penny]

I have two faverolle pullits and four bo`s that were raised togather last spring,when they were four months old I tried to intergrate them into my flock,the buffs did well but not the faverolles,they are so timid that they hid in the corner or on the roosts,I did leave them for a few days but it got no better and they were chasing them and picking at them so I had to take them out.I tried two more times and finally I could leave them and they are fine now but low on the pecking order.It was the sex links that bothered them,I think the orpingtons are a calm bird so they made out fine with them. This is Lucy and Ethel They have aprons on because the rooster really likes them

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I haven't had a problem with them in mixed flocks with other heavy weight breeds that had average temperaments.

The time I had a problem was when I raised some light weight breeds that were more aggressive and high strung, along with a mixed group of heavy weight chicks. The more aggressive breeds were aggressive not only to the Faverolles, but to all the less aggressive breeds, like Plymouth Rocks, Sussex, ameraucanas, etc. They had a lot more space than most people give them, too. I had to have my friends come get them before they were ready to lay, as they were just too aggressive to the others.

So, I would look at the breeds charts and try not to mix much more aggressive breeds with less aggressive breeds. If you're only getting the average heavy weight mixed flock, I wouldn't worry about adding Faverolles.

 

[happymom99]

Quote:
Great tip. That is what I am going to do.

 

[happymom99]

Thanks for all of the tips and for sharing your experiences, Everyone. It sounds like there have been a lot of good experiences so that is reassuring. I am going to get Wyandottes, EEs, a Black Austrolorp and the SF. I am not getting chicks though. They are all pullets who will range in age from 11 weeks to 16 weeks along with one EE who is between 9mo and 12 mos. I am adopting here from a family who is giving her up.

Hopefully everyone will get along.

Thank you again.


CJ