What other breeds might get along with my Polish hens?

[CHICKEN BUFF]

Omigosh, I love them! What a bunch of cuties!

 

[CHICKEN BUFF]

General rule of thumb with chicken breeds---feather footed birds are more docile and tolerant.

Marans and Langshans are the biggest exception. But overall, feather footed breeds were bred more for ornamental purposes, and a calm, friendly, docile personality was a very desirable trait.

If you like the Polish, get more of them

. The come in a lot of colors now, you could have quite the eye-catching flock!

I didn't know that about feather-footed breeds - handy to know! Sure like the Buff laced polish and the Gold laced polish - definitely adding some of those!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My buff laced polish have been my egg producers. I got mine From My Pet Chicken. I'm surprised how many eggs those scrawny birds produce. They are also aggressive free rangers, going further out to pasture than any other chickens.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I would like to add one thing to what others have posted.

You have a large roo. A bantam hen could be crushed by his activities. I would stick with large breed hens for that reason.

My Brahma hens are super mellow and I would say they are lower ranking even though they are big gals. Not super layers but super mellow and very much loved in my flock.

If you like gorgeous hens check out dark brahmas. They are silver penciled and stunning. Of course they are big and handle cold well mine also do ok in the heat. Lots of shade helps them and the others out.

I am one of those who have had wyandottes that were bullies. I think they require a lot of space to not become the jerks in the flock.

Of course everyone will want to see what you decide.

 

[CHICKEN BUFF]

My buff laced polish have been my egg producers. I got mine From My Pet Chicken. I'm surprised how many eggs those scrawny birds produce. They are also aggressive free rangers, going further out to pasture than any other chickens.

I've been very surprised by my polish birds. I initially got them for their "fun" factor and didn't expect anything from them except to look cute and cuddly. They do that, but they also lay just as faithfully as my Easter Eggers, and as I mentioned before, Priscilla not only went broody, she successfully hatched three chicks! You're right about the free-ranging too. I find that my two white-crested blacks are bold little birds. Priscilla is bolder if I keep her "hair" trimmed, LOL. But she did extremely well at protecting and defending her chicks from all comers!

 

[CHICKEN BUFF]

I would like to add one thing to what others have posted.

You have a large roo. A bantam hen could be crushed by his activities. I would stick with large breed hens for that reason.

My Brahma hens are super mellow and I would say they are lower ranking even though they are big gals. Not super layers but super mellow and very much loved in my flock.

If you like gorgeous hens check out dark brahmas. They are silver penciled and stunning. Of course they are big and handle cold well mine also do ok in the heat. Lots of shade helps them and the others out.

I am one of those who have had wyandottes that were bullies. I think they require a lot of space to not become the jerks in the flock.

Of course everyone will want to see what you decide.

Oh dang, I never thought about that! I've never had bantams, so I'm really not familiar with just how small they are. I definitely couldn't let Earl have his way with them! And yeah, I've pretty much ruled out getting wyandotte hens. Earl was a "mystery chick" that I got with my last order. We were just plain lucky he's such a good roo. Maybe I could get him some brahma hens!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I thought I would toss in a pic that shows my Dark Brahma next to my bantam Silver Laced Cochin. I think your roo may be close to the size of the Brahma. She is weighing in at about 9 pounds these days. The bantam I would put under 2 pounds. But then I do lift big birds more then bantams lol.
Other breeds in the pic are Black Australorp and Speckled Sussex (and the bottom of the Buff Brahma).

My Brahma are lower ranking even though they are huge birds. They back down whenever the little black cochin says to. Funny seeing such a large bird give way to the smallest in the flock. (Bitty may be small but she is top hen). OH I looked close at the pic and Bitty IS in there. She is the small black hen behind the big black one. LOL she hides so easily. Half of my flock are black.

I thought this would give you an idea of how small bantams are next to standard size birds.

 

[CHICKEN BUFF]

I thought I would toss in a pic that shows my Dark Brahma next to my bantam Silver Laced Cochin. I think your roo may be close to the size of the Brahma. She is weighing in at about 9 pounds these days. The bantam I would put under 2 pounds. But then I do lift big birds more then bantams lol.
Other breeds in the pic are Black Australorp and Speckled Sussex (and the bottom of the Buff Brahma).

My Brahma are lower ranking even though they are huge birds. They back down whenever the little black cochin says to. Funny seeing such a large bird give way to the smallest in the flock. (Bitty may be small but she is top hen). OH I looked close at the pic and Bitty IS in there. She is the small black hen behind the big black one. LOL she hides so easily. Half of my flock are black.

I thought this would give you an idea of how small bantams are next to standard size birds.

Great photo, thanks! I added Dark Brahmas to my list after the recommendations on this thread. What a pretty bird! It's very helpful to see the size of bantam cochins next to her. I find the rankings that form within my flocks to be fascinating --- you're right, it's not always the biggest hen who runs the show! IF I can trust the hatchery info (McMurray), my Wyandotte roo shouldn't get as heavy as a Brahma hen --- but he's still going to be too big, LOL

Thanks again for sharing this pic!

 

[CHICKEN BUFF]

I've really enjoyed the responses I've gotten on this thread. Hearing about others' experiences has been really helpful. I placed an order for MORE Polish (buff laced and gold laced), plus brahmas (both dark and light), plus salmon faverolles.

After reading this thread, Hubs was agreeable to not getting Wyandottes. However, he asked to try out three mottled Houdans. They're allegedly docile, so I couldn't say no, LOL. We're going to have a LOT of crested birds!

We're still interested in bantams (oh, those CUTE cochins and d'Uccles!) but agree that our current Rooster is way too big for them. I think we'll wait and see how Earl does with the new flock, and try out banties next year.

Anyone else find themselves wanting some of EVERYTHING? I feel like a kid in a candy store when I'm looking at chickens!

 

[Suzi18]

I'm looking for mottled Houdans too. Have you had any luck finding some? I'm in Ohio