Starting a Mixed Flock -- What should I know first?

[Xiao Casa]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading lots of posts, articles, and information on this site and have decided on some chicken breeds. Problem is, they aren't the same breed. Is there anything I should really know before starting a mixed flock? Challenges that people have had or success stories are both welcome.

List of the breeds I had been thinking about:
Barred Rocks (definitely)
Easter Eggers (definitely)
Buff Orpington (possibly)
White Leghorn (maybe...)

If anyone has had a good or bad experience with these birds or mixtures of birds, I'd love to hear about it! Thanks everybody, I get so much help from this website. Substitute suggestions are also fine!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I've had all of those breeds in a mixed flock and had no problems. They'll be fine, especially if you'll be raising them all up together as babies.

Good luck with your chickens

 

[Xiao Casa]

Thank you! I will be getting chicks, so it's nice to know they'll be fine. I didn't want them all picking on each other.

 

[donrae]

I've had several breeds over the years and never had a problem with any specific breed. Now, I've not had more ornamental birds like Polish or silkies, and have read they can have a hard time in a flock. But if all your birds are production/dual purpose type birds, they should all get along nicely. My current flock is built on a foundation of barred Rock, EE and brown Leghorn, and I love the mixes I get! The key to harmonious chicken keeping is to have plenty of space for your birds. Crowded birds, no matter the breed, will have lots more problems than birds that have lots of room to stay off each other's nerves.

 

[Xiao Casa]

Okay, thanks for the nice tip! Any suggestions on proper square footage for a 6 hen flock? I only need measurements for the run, since our coop is already planned.

 

[savannahm0m]

The main thing with a mixed flock is that they are all similar ages. We have two stages in our flock, 5 older birds and 5 younger birds. They all tolerate each other, but they definitely "hang out" with their own brooder mates. The older girls will chase the younger ones off from special treats, but as of now, there has been no blood drawn. Mainly make sure they have enough space. I don't know how much available space you have, but we have about 70 feet in our run (if my calculations are correct!!!!).

 

[Xiao Casa]

We've got a great, big yard (about half an acre, which is large for a urban neighborhood) but were wanting to use only what the chickens need. If you house 10 birds happily in a 70 sq. ft. run, then I should not have a problem with 6 or 7 in a 60 sq. ft. run. 6 × 10 is certainly acceptable to us, so I guess we should just go ahead and build it!

 

[donrae]

More space is always, always better. A good rule of thumb for minimum space is 4 square feet per bird in the coop and 10 square feet per bird in the run. Give them more space now and you'll be happier down the line. If your yard is that big, you're not going to miss a few extra feet. For 6 birds, I'd aim for something like 10x10. It would be a shame to be on here with birds having behavioral issues down the road that could have been headed off by more space.

 

[skunknchatter]

I swear by adding Buff Orps to any flock. They are so laid back it seems to bring down the energy of the whole flock. My BO roo is my favorite bird. He doesn't beat up the new and young additions to the flock and he isnt too hard on my hens. I had a BO hen who died but she was the same way. Calm and "friendly" to new flock additions.

My flock is currently made up of Dominiques, Sussex, Orpingtons, EE, Sexlink, two BO cross birds I hatched, and an Indian Runner Duck. There are too many breeds i want to have. If i didn't mix them I'd need a dozen coops!

 

[Bethel3330]

Same here. There are several more I want to try but for my first flock I brought home 2 barred rocks at 8 weeks old, 2 Australorps 8 weeks old, 2 slw at 5 weeks and a 1 1/2 year old rooster. They've all gotten along beautifully! It is evident who is top hen and who is bottom, each of the BAs apparently, and that happened from day 1 and those two had been flockmates before. Mine were from two different farms and even tossing them all in together they did well.