Wanting a mixed flock of laying hens

[jatsma]

I want my flock of chickens to lay "Easter Egg" type eggs ( Like in the picture below)



I read that having a mixed flock may be difficult because they all might not get along like a regular-same breed type of chickens.
Does anyone have a flock of chickens that are mixed breed?
if i raise them from day old, all together, will they all get along?
What type of breeds do you have?

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. Mixed flocks do fine together as long as they are approximately the same size. All of my flocks have almost always been mixed flocks and other than the occasional aggressive bird that had to be culled from the flock, I've never had any problem with the different breeds getting along. My latest mixed flock consisted of Black Sex Links, Australorps, Orpingtons, and Easter Eggers, but I've had dozens of breeds together over the past 50 years. Chickens don't see each other as breeds--only as chickens. ) Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck in getting your mixed flock.

 

[drumstick diva]

So glad you joined the Backyard chickens flock

 

[dekel18042]

I want my flock of chickens to lay "Easter Egg" type eggs ( Like in the picture below)



I read that having a mixed flock may be difficult because they all might not get along like a regular-same breed type of chickens.
Does anyone have a flock of chickens that are mixed breed?
if i raise them from day old, all together, will they all get along?
What type of breeds do you have?

I and many others have mixed flocks and all get along well. It might help to get them all at the same time but that is not what I did and it worked out well. I started with one breed which I really liked but then I wanted colored eggs so I added Easter eggers. Then I thought the olive eggs were really cool looking so I added a couple types of marans, and welsumer and while I was at it I was curious about buckeyes so added a couple. My husband was interested in another heritage breed so he got some of those. Meanwhile we hatched some babies who were mixes but they lay neat colored eggs including olive eggs.
I have a smaller coop and run against my main coop and run. The new ones spend two months or so in there growing out (I've either gotten them as eggs or day olds and they were brooded in the house or they would be quarantined else where. Then when they're the same size I move them over. Usually there isn't much of a fuss. I make sure there are enough feed and waterers and they settle in quickly. Now I have a few California greys (wanted white egg layers, finally, and some of my mixes that should lay green eggs in the grow out pen and they will be added to the main laying flock come September.
I think it does help if you chose breeds that are compatible, both size wise and temperament. I really don't have any flighty birds.

 

[SquishyPandas]

Mixed flocks are completely fine (in my experience anyway!!!). I even mix bantams with large hens and it's fine. When they are not raised together from chicks, of course when introducing a new hen there is some conflict as they find their place in the pecking order, but I've never found that this has been enhanced by being a different breed.

I have had together: Sussex, Bluebell, Orpington, Vorwerk, Polish Bantam, Barbu d'Anver bantam and hybrid hens rescued from a factory farm.
Soon enough they always become best friends! e

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!