mamahen amateur
In the Brooder
I'm starting my very first flock of hens!! I have pre-ordered a blue and a lavender orpington pullets. I want 6 hens to start off with (I hear it's addictive and I can have up to 10 They will have free range of our large bushy and hilly backyard and a safe coop at night. What breeds can I add to the Orpingtons so that they don't get beaten up too much? Would gold/silver laced Wynadottes be ok? If they all grow up together as pullets does the pecking order even out or does the breed dominate anyway? I'd prefer good egg layers and I also have small toddlers so I don't want an aggressive breed (if there is one?). Thank you!