Your friendly chickens opinions

[Roseynose]

What breeds are in your current flock? That would help figure out breeds that would get along with them, be docile, but not so much they get picked on.

Salmon Faverolle, black Australorp, Easter egger, and a Cochin bantam roo. They are pretty mellow.

 

[Roseynose]

Adding docile chickens can be a disadvantage as the existing birds will not be happy about newcomers.
Most important when adding new birds is to have lots of space.

Will you get new chicks or full grown birds?
If older birds, consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

Here's some tips about......
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Thanks this is a lot to consider. Great information.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I second the Barnevelders. Lovely, sweet birds as are Cochin's and orpingtons. I have also found Welsummers and Marans to be very mellow, friendly birds. My BCM and black Australorp are at the bottom of the flock. I have had a few Salmon Faverolles and my first ones were top hens until I added a Rhode Island Red. Its hard to say how things will shake out so I organize my chickens around who is the boss chicken. My Speckled Sussexes are boss now but I plan on moving them to another run when I move my Naked Necks in with the main flock because I like their personalities but they are usually boss chickens with the other breeds I have mentioned. You will have to find what works for you but if ykh follow the tips you've been given above by others it should be fine, especially if you avoid known trouble makers like RIRs lol

 

[Roseynose]

I second the Barnevelders. Lovely, sweet birds as are Cochin's and orpingtons. I have also found Welsummers and Marans to be very mellow, friendly birds. My BCM and black Australorp are at the bottom of the flock. I have had a few Salmon Faverolles and my first ones were top hens until I added a Rhode Island Red. Its hard to say how things will shake out so I organize my chickens around who is the boss chicken. My Speckled Sussexes are boss now but I plan on moving them to another run when I move my Naked Necks in with the main flock because I like their personalities but they are usually boss chickens with the other breeds I have mentioned. You will have to find what works for you but if ykh follow the tips you've been given above by others it should be fine, especially if you avoid known trouble makers like RIRs lol

I just looked up the barnevelder they are so beautiful!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I just looked up the barnevelder they are so beautiful!

And they usually lay through the winter too.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

@Roseynose

With a Salmon Favorelle and Cochin, you have very mellow birds.
Australorp can be mellow to aggressive, you apparently have a mellow one.
Easter Eggers are hybrids so vary. You apparently have a mellow one.

In that mix, as long as you consider the room as @aart stated, you could add a couple of more sweet hens (and cross your fingers they all play nicely).

I would not be as hesitant to add a Silkie into this mix, however do be aware that top knot can be so tempting to peck by the others, which can damage the delicate skull of a Silkie.

I think you would love a sweet Barnevelder. It would add lovely terra cotta colored eggs. I have the gold double lace which is lovely. The silver double laced is stunning but much harder to find.

Buff Orpington, if breeder quality, could be a nice addition. I find the hatchery quality to be very aggressive as they've been overproduced due to popularity, rather than focusing on temperament.

Buckeye are lovely dark red birds that tend to have a middle of the pack to gentle nature. They are dual purpose for meat and eggs, and are supposed to be a better winter layer.

A breeder quality Wyandotte would be middle tempered too.

Barred Rock can be aggressive if hatchery quality. Most of mine have simply been assertive, curious birds. They tend to be the ones to follow you around wondering what you are doing in the yard.

Red Sex Links are laying machines, and mine have tended to be middle of the flock, but they can be aggressive. Ditto Black Sex Links. I really enjoyed my California Grey, again middle of the flock.

Stay away from hatchery quality Rhode Island Red, aka Production Reds. They are very aggressive and noisy.

Probably the most noted for gentleness would be the Favorelle, Cochin, and Silkie. I personally would put Buckeye next as they tend to be at the bottom of the flock.

And always keep in mind that individual birds vary within the different breeds. Even if the breed is overall very nice, you could get a stinker.

I'll link you a chart of breed characteristics to aid in your search:
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html


LofMc