Which Breed is Best for my Flock?

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Hi everyone! I wasn't sure where to post this thread, so I hope this is ok! I'm looking to add one chicken to my flock of 4 EEs and 1 Silkie. My existing chickens are 11 weeks old. They are all very sweet, and get along great. Right now, there is no pecking order established. Does the fact that there is still no pecking order make it a good time to add a chicken? Will adding a chicken now affect my girls' temperaments? Will it disrupt my peaceful flock? So the farm I'm looking to buy from has these chickens in stock that are around my chickens's ages:
Easter Eggers (I want a new breed so I wasn't going to get one of these)
RIRs
Buff Orpingtons
Domniques
Barred Rocks
New Hampshires
Golden Comets

Which of these breeds is the sweetest, the best with children and other chickens, and the all around calmest and cuddle bug?

Any other information is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[sourland]

All of the birds mentioned have their own particular attributes. In my experience, buff orpingtons are the most mellow of the lot.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

All of the birds mentioned have their own particular attributes. In my experience, buff orpingtons are the most mellow of the lot.

Thank you! That's what I've heard. I also had a few questions on wether or not adding a chicken at this age (when there is still no established pecking order) will affect my existing girls' sweet temperaments and kindness to one another. Any information on that?

 

[keesmom]

Just because you don't see a pecking order does not mean one isn't present. They know what it is even if you don't. Of course pecking order is always fluid too.

And while they are nice and sweet now they could become a little more touchy when they reach laying age. Think of them now as some nice 6 year old girls that get along fairly well. At laying age they turn into preteen middle school girls - some stay mellow, some are cranky. That can happen whether or not you add another pullet at this point.

You would probably fare better with an introducing 2 pullets instead of just one. Of course that will depend on whether or not you have enough coop space to add more birds. What are the dimensions of your coop and run?

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Just because you don't see a pecking order does not mean one isn't present. They know what it is even if you don't. Of course pecking order is always fluid too.

And while they are nice and sweet now they could become a little more touchy when they reach laying age. Think of them now as some nice 6 year old girls that get along fairly well. At laying age they turn into preteen middle school girls - some stay mellow, some are cranky. That can happen whether or not you add another pullet at this point.

You would probably fare better with an introducing 2 pullets instead of just one. Of course that will depend on whether or not you have enough coop space to add more birds. What are the dimensions of your coop and run?

Well, the ordinance in my city only allows us to have a maximum of 6 chickens. Our chickens have become slightly skittish. I have been told this is a result of their teenage years and they will calm down in a few months. We can only add one more chicken, even if adding two would be better. We thought now would be a good time because they are still very sweet. Thoughts?

 

[keesmom]

If I had limits like that on numbers I wouldn't add any. Leave the space open for 2-3 years from now when egg production declines. Then add another pullet or 2 then.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

If I had limits like that on numbers I wouldn't add any. Leave the space open for 2-3 years from now when egg production declines. Then add another pullet or 2 then.

Well, we really are keeping chickens as pets, and not as egg producers. When production declines, the chickens will just be a member of the family. Also, we don't plan on keeping chickens long term. It won't be the sort of thing that when our flock dies, we get another one. I think this flock will be our one and only. Because of that, would adding one now be alright?

 

[keesmom]

Personally I still would not add more. Your flock gets along well now and adding another could upset the apple cart. Adding one from an outside flock could also introduce disease.

However it's your flock and you would like to add one more pullet. If you want to avoid outside illnesses quarantine her away from your current birds for a month. When you add her to your current flock I would suggest keeping her in a crate in the coop or a fenced in area where the resident birds can see her but not harm her. After a few days let her out and make sure she isn't being harassed too badly. Having places to hide plus more than one feeder and waterer will help.

 

[StinkyAcres]

As for breed friendliness...in my experience....Buff Orpingtons are very friendly. Barred Rocks not as much. I think my White Rocks are friendlier than my Barred Rocks were. Rhode Island Reds are bold and they like to hop on your lap and steal your food. I had a Rhode Island Red who was generally friendly with people, but if you picked up one of her friends she would attack you (she couldn't really hurt you, though). I haven't had the other breeds in your list, but I think I heard the Golden Comets are super sweet.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Personally I still would not add more. Your flock gets along well now and adding another could upset the apple cart. Adding one from an outside flock could also introduce disease.

However it's your flock and you would like to add one more pullet. If you want to avoid outside illnesses quarantine her away from your current birds for a month. When you add her to your current flock I would suggest keeping her in a crate in the coop or a fenced in area where the resident birds can see her but not harm her. After a few days let her out and make sure she isn't being harassed too badly. Having places to hide plus more than one feeder and waterer will help.

Thank you for the information! I guess I have some thinking to do...