What can you tell me about this?

[Stevenson]

I just placed my order from Purely Poultry. (I have ready all about the company and understand where the chicks are coming from.)
I ordered 30 chicks in all (all hens) - five each of the following breeds: mottled java, buff orpington, speckled sussex, buckeye, delaware, and dominique.

My expereince is limited, I previously had a chicken tractor with about 5 hens. This time I am building a 8'x12' coop and a 42'x42' run with 6' fence. I plan on reducing my flock down to about 24 once they start laying.

I would like to know your experience with these breeds and any knowledge you can bestow on me. From what I read, they all should live well together...does anyone think otherwise?

Thanks so much for your help.....really looking forward to getting back into chickens again!

 

[nivtup]

They should be fine together.

 

[ChickenWisperer]

They should be okay.

Watch out for your Buff orps and your sussex. They might get picked on more often, be run off from feeders, etc

The buff orps are supposedly very friendly birds, tend to get picked on. The sussex are great - will get very attached to you, mine from Ideal is a great layer, though she is getting a bit more aggressive.

My delaware got very attached to me and I loved her, but was highly aggressive to my other birds (chantecler, dorking, brahma, cubalaya, etc) so she had to go. Great layers, hardy birds.

I've heard the buckeyes are standoffish and sometimes bird-aggressive, but I don't know from experience. I don't know anything about Dominiques, honestly.

 

[cgmccary]

I've heard the buckeyes are standoffish and sometimes bird-aggressive, but I don't know from experience

This is not true. Buckeyes are the opposite of standoffish. They run to you, even fly up at the door to greet you, follow you and you have to be careful not to step on them as they will get under your feet, between your feet and all around you.

Also, Buckeyes are no more bird-aggressive than the other breeds listed. Buckeye hens are easy going and likely to be the ones that get picked on. I have a Buff Orpington hen that lives with my flock of Buckeyes, and she is near the top of the pecking order. Like any flock, there will be a pecking order, and it will not be breed specific with any of the breeds you have chosen as it will vary individual to individual. (i.e. None of the breeds you have chosen fall in the category of being very aggressive). Also generally, hens raised together will always get along well. You have made some wise choices; the breeds you chose are friendly & easy going & nice to look at.​

 

[tadkerson]

You should be fine. You have plenty of room for the birds. I would caution you on keeping the birds cooped up in the house.

It has been my experience that birds will start pecking at each other. Once the chickens see a little blood they start pecking at the wound- they can cause serious wounds or even kill a bird if the bird is not removed from the group. If you see signs of pecking, smear pine tar on the wound. This will keep the birds from pecking and allow the wound to heal. You can get pine tar at farm stores.

Tim

 

[Stevenson]

Thanks for the replies and information....feeling good about my selection so far! We'll see after they arrive! I am really looking forward to getting to see all the personalities.

@tadkerson - excuse my inexperience...I don't understand why I would keep them cooped up in the house. Are your refering to the winter months when they aren't going to be in the run as much? I guess I just assumed that they could decide when to go out into the run and when to stay in the house.

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
This is not true. Buckeyes are the opposite of standoffish. They run to you, even fly up at the door to greet you, follow you and you have to be careful not to step on them as they will get under your feet, between your feet and all around you.

Also, Buckeyes are no more bird-aggressive than the other breeds listed. Buckeye hens are easy going and likely to be the ones that get picked on. I have a Buff Orpington hen that lives with my flock of Buckeyes, and she is near the top of the pecking order. Like any flock, there will be a pecking order, and it will not be breed specific with any of the breeds you have chosen as it will vary individual to individual. (i.e. None of the breeds you have chosen fall in the category of being very aggressive). Also generally, hens raised together will always get along well. You have made some wise choices; the breeds you chose are friendly & easy going & nice to look at.

 

[Stevenson]

cgmccary wrote: You have made some wise choices; the breeds you chose are friendly & easy going & nice to look at.

Thanks! Spent plenty of time reading about them before I pulled the trigger....glad it looks like I made some good choices!​

 

[ChickenWisperer]

Quote:
This is not true. Buckeyes are the opposite of standoffish. They run to you, even fly up at the door to greet you, follow you and you have to be careful not to step on them as they will get under your feet, between your feet and all around you.

Also, Buckeyes are no more bird-aggressive than the other breeds listed. Buckeye hens are easy going and likely to be the ones that get picked on. I have a Buff Orpington hen that lives with my flock of Buckeyes, and she is near the top of the pecking order. Like any flock, there will be a pecking order, and it will not be breed specific with any of the breeds you have chosen as it will vary individual to individual. (i.e. None of the breeds you have chosen fall in the category of being very aggressive). Also generally, hens raised together will always get along well. You have made some wise choices; the breeds you chose are friendly & easy going & nice to look at.

Thank you for the correction

. I've never had Buckeyes, and was only going off circulated word.