Your opinion on mix of breeds

[GrannyHeeney]

Gonna do this right and planning ahead! We already have 3 Barred Rock ladies laying. The family grocery list is a Buff Brahma pullet and roo for me, a RI hen for Gramps and my daughter would like a Silver Laced Polish pullet. I guess my biggest worry is the rest picking on that one little Polish? Anyone forsee any issues attitude-wise?

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Rhode Island reds are prone to bullying,I have witnessed it twice,they teemed up and corrupted the entire fight making everyone fight.You will heat lots of stories of bullying on them,not saying it will happen.Although any of your birds could always try and bully your birds,just not the polish but nay of your hens could become victims,but I doubt you will have issues.I have a mixed flock of different ages and breeds,my flock consists of about twenty six,roosters and hens.

 

[GrannyHeeney]

Ah, that's another thing I was wondering about but this phone is tiny to type on and Gramps is on the big computer Those RI hens seem to be trouble makers on occasion but Gramps is chicken-crazy for one right now

 

[TheTwoRoos]

One may not cause issues.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

I’m typing on a phone pretty much all the time,so I understand.

 

[sourland]

Very frequently Polish in mixed flocks become 'targets'. The flock mates tend to pluck their crests and scalp them. All others should do fine in a mixed flock.

 

[mikgub]

I don't think you'll have many problems, as long as it's not a flock of all one kind with only one loner. If you're really concerned, what about a second Polish? That way there is another unusual chicken to take some of the pestering if the other chickens do get particular.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Regardless if it is all one kind,Birds still have outcasts regardless of breeds.

 

[lazy gardener]

I never met a RIR who was not a nasty tempered foul creature. Who's flock is this, anyways? While Gramps wants a RIR, unless this flock is his flock on his land, he can just enjoy what YOU pick out. A good alternative for the RIR would be a Buck Eye. The Buck Eye has that deep mahogany color that the old fashioned heritage RIR were known for, and their behavior is much more mellow.

Silver Laced Polish is definitely gonna be a target. Perhaps you can help your dtr pick out a different breed that still has the eye candy appeal without the head fru-fru that will make her a target. Might I suggest a Silver Spangled Hamburg or a Speckled Sussex? Or a lovely Easter Egger. EE are like chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get. But, I've never had an EE that has not been a charming asset to the flock, and I love those blue/green/aqua colored eggs.

 

[Folly's place]

x2 everything that LG said! Try Buckeyes rather than RIR's or any of the production reds.
I've had both standard and bantam Brahmas, and much prefer the bantams. They are still bigger birds (for bantams) and are very nice. Longer lived, too.
Every mixed flock needs EEs!!! Nice birds, interesting egg colors.
Speckled Sussex hens are delightful friendly birds, and very pretty.
Polish are tricky, and may have problems in a mixed flock. Definitely get more than one, if any.
Part of the fun is trying different breeds! you will discover some that you love, and some that looked interesting, and weren't fun at all.
Mary