The flock. Mixed or all the same?

[FlyWheel]

So long as they are not too different in size and of a gentile temperment the should get along OK, especially if they are raised together. I have seven EEs, a cuckoo Marans, one Black Australorp and a RIR (who is surprisingly docile for her species) and other than a bit of "pecking order" squabbles at the breakfast table there's no friction.

 

[Jules929]

I have a GLW, a CBB, a BB, a BF, a SFH, a CM, a BR, and a WM and they get along well. They have been together since they were 2 months old, and they are 23 weeks old now.

 

[Mrs. K]

Different times I have tried it one breed way, and mixed flocks. I prefer the mixed flocks, I can tell them apart, can keep a count on them. I have limited space that I want to use for this hobby, and just have not found a breed of birds where I think, this is the one. I have tried numerous breeds that I was sure I would really like, but for one reason or another did not really work out for me.

Mixed birds of similar purpose will get along pretty well if you have space. SPACE is the biggest issue of conflict in a flock. While some will hang with some birds, in my experience, it follow more closely to age.

I breed some of my own and buy chicks too.... I am a failure at working with heritage birds, for some reason, it seems like coyotes like any bird better, if I have paid a bit more for it.

Mrs K

 

[Ribh]

A picture is worth 1000 words: A BA & A BR cuddled up together dust bathing.

 

[Tylerjc85]

I keep a mixed flock as well. My son's show chicken rules the roost and he is a little Serama.

 

[CannedMonster]

I could never settle on one breed.
There are so many that I like.
Currently I have Naked Necks, sex-links, Australorps, Speckled Sussex, Partridge Rocks, Silver Penciled Rocks, a Jersey Giant and various bantams.
I really like all of these breeds and find them very enjoyable.
They seem to get along pretty well.
The only breed I’ve had a problem with were the Silver Laced Wyandottes.
They were always chasing, pecking and harassing the others and even each other.
I rehomed them to a friends flock and they’re doing great there.
Sometimes certain birds just don’t fit your setup.

 

[aart]

Mixing different sizes of birds can sometimes cause bullying issues, but you can get bullying issues even with all identical looking birds, so there's no guarantee of that not happening no matter what birds you go with.

Ditto Dat^^^

Mixed flocks can be fine especially when raised together and given adequate space.

I think space is the key to running a mixed flock.

Space is key to any flock breed makeup.

Yes, lots of space can curtail many issues!

 

[moniquem]

Here are my chickens, mixed small flock of BA,EE and SS. I did have another chicken a BR, but she became a really big bully to the SS, who is the bottom of the pecking order. I re-homed her and now just have the 3. All three are super sweet, no drama ) When I add to these gals I will most likely stick with the BA, they are super easy going..

 

[BReeder!]

In reading, I've seen it said that in a mixed flock, sometimes the different breeds don't get along...one chicken or another will be picked on - or pick on another one because of the difference. I know that the same thing can happen in a non-mixed flock, since pecking order and all that. But does it get better if they are all the same breed? I'd really love to get speckled Sussex, but I'd like thoughts on whether an all-one-breed flock makes things better or not, since my partner wants a mix of different breeds.

I have 1 Speckled Sussex, 1 Cuckoo Marans, 1 Gold Laced Wyandotte, 2 Light Brahmas, 1 Lavender Orpington and 1 Blue Silver Laced Orpington. All live together and get along with an established pecking order. The catch is that my two Orpingtons were introduced 5 months later and forced to the bottom of the pecking order. I think they are slowly climbing rank as they get bigger (slow growers that take 18 months to reach full size). There are no scuffles. The ace hen (as I like to refer to top hen in the pecking order) keeps everybody in line and maintains order. Her presence alone and body language tends to set the rest of the girls straight. Occasionally there's an actual peck, but never anything severe - more like a slap on the hand rather than a beating (we wouldn't allow beatings around here).

Something funny to add: If the ace hen doesn't set the back in line or if the ace is acting up herself, my 2 year is sure to bring order to the flock with a "Nah!" and a single index finger held up like he's a teacher scolding a class. I wish I had a picture or video of it.

 

[Chickassan]

My current flock is my first mixed flock and things are fabulous. There is plenty of everything so no scuffles except normal chicken buisness.
I don't have anything crazy out there that just screams "peck me" like a polish, just mostly big docile breeds with a handful of childhood favoriates.
The last single breed flock were La Flèche and while I still didn't have huge issues I didn't have a clue who anybody was from a distance.