Chickens are among the most popular poultry animals due to their ability to produce eggs and their unique personalities. There is much to consider when choosing the right chickens for your flock. Certain breeds get along better with each other than others, and it is essential to understand which species are compatible. Not all chicken breeds live well together, so it’s vital to know which breeds will be consistent when considering your flock.
Here are some chicken breeds that live well together
ABSTRACT
There are a lot of varieties of chicken; others are naturally friendly, while others are rowdy. These breeds include Isa brown, Plymouth rock, Barneveld, Australorp, naked neck, Orrington, silkie, New Hampshire red, frizzle, began d’uccle, polish, cochin, leghorn, Sussex, Araucana, Wyandotte, Minorca, faveolus, Seabright and many more.
ORPINGTON
This breed is known for its softness inside and out. The Orpington is an excellent all-purpose utility breed, providing both eggs and meat, and it is also frequently bred for exposure and shows, meaning they are a great overall chicken.
They won’t cause any problems with other breeds and don’t typically end up at the top of the pecking order. It is recommended that you get Buff Orpingtons if you have children that enjoy playing with the flock.
Most chicken research deems the Buff Orpington as laid back, patient, and friendly and loves to receive food treats, and doesn’t mind being picked up. They’ll avoid aggressive birds, but keeping them in a flock with like-minded breeds is best to prevent bullying.
EASTER EGGER
Not only is this breed great for giving you multi-colored eggs, but their calm and friendly nature also makes them great companions for other breeds. Though they’re not a recognized breed, they are usually a mix of Americana, Araucana, and Marans.
These chickens are great egg producers and don’t appear to mind being confined, so they’re straightforward to care for. In general, Easter eggers are very friendly, easy-going, and calm and often enjoy sitting on the laps of their caretakers.
WYANDOTTE
Wyandottes are classified as a dual-purpose breed, so they are relatively small birds. Though they can be pretty loud at times, Wyandottes have easy-going nature other breeds are sure to appreciate. They have some broody tendencies, but if you can get past that, they make great foster mothers.
They’ll sit any other chickens’ eggs and can mingle with any different breed. They’re a heavy breed and, therefore, not usually as quick or flighty. With a rose comb and full plumage, they’re exceptionally suited for cold climates. Like many other chicken breeds, they will need extra measures taken to keep them cool and comfortable in high-heat environments. They are good foragers and prefer free range.
POLISH
These birds can keep you entertained all day long! They often make extraordinary mixer chickens for their calm and gentle nature. This may be due to their weird tendencies making them seem a little troubled, either way, and they’re easy for humans and other breeds to fall in love with!
SILKIES
Aside from their adorable looks, this breed is known to be among the friendliest. Silkies are one of the best chicken breeds to keep as pets because of their size and temperament. Don’t let their small size fool you; silkies can stand their ground in a mixed flock too.
Their soft, fluffy feathers feel like silk on a compact little body. They’re fun and love to get to know other chickens in their flock, which makes them some of the best chickens to incorporate into a community.
COCHINS
Cochins are one of the giant breeds of chickens you will ever have in your chicken coop. These gentle big hens weigh in at about 8 pounds, while the roosters can often tip the scales at about 11 pounds. If you’re looking for a laid-back bird who won’t cause any problems, Cochins are your breed.
They’ll back down in any tense situation and have a friendly nature. They’re large birds but don’t let that fool you; Cochins are great mixer breeds. Cochins are among the best mothers in the chicken world and will often foster another bird’s eggs and raise the chicks as their own
BRAHMA
These gentle fluffy giants can keep the peace in a flock. Other birds tend to show them the utmost respect, and as such, they tend to rank relatively high in the pecking order. Their majestic air sees them stroll along calmly through the garden whilst keeping a vigilant eye out for trouble. Due to their size, even the more aggressive birds tend to give way to them.
DELAWARE
They are a very hardy breed that can withstand most conditions and have a very calm, even temperament, which makes them excellent mixers for your flock. This is especially true for some of the larger breeds of chickens.
SUSSEX
The Speckled Sussex is a reasonably large (roosters can weigh up to 8 pounds while hens weigh about 6 pounds) but beautiful chicken. It has a single comb, and its feet are free of feathers. They mix well with most other breeds and tend to run off to explore and forage by themselves.
They are not too fussed with the chicken hierarchy’s goings-on, although they seem to be quite high up on it. This is probably because these ladies do not tolerate other chicken’s nonsense. They’re curious, the first to check out new situations, absolutely love attention, and are intelligent, mellow pets. As mature birds, they like to be held, stroked, and talked to. They may even follow you around.
JERSEY GIANTS
Jersey Giant chickens are a very friendly, calm, and docile breed. Of particular note with this breed is that they are also very friendly with other birds and pets. They are large enough not to be frightened by other domesticated pets, and roosters of this breed are also very low on the aggression scale.
Jersey Giants are robust and relatively cold and hardy. They are not flighty but require enormous space because of their size. Besides the fact that they are not as quickly handled because of their size, Giants make good pets for children because they are incredibly docile and calm.
The most crucial factor to consider when determining which chicken breeds live well together is the size of the flock. Some species, such as Leghorns and Orpingtons, can be aggressive toward other chickens, so keeping them in their own group is best.
Other breeds, such as Rhode Island Reds and Australorps, are typically good-natured and can live peacefully in a flock with other chickens. In addition to size, the breed’s temperament is also essential when determining which chicken species live well together.
Some breeds, such as Wyandottes and Cochins, are known for their docile and friendly nature, making them great candidates for a mixed flock. Conversely, some species, such as Barred Rocks and Jersey Giants, can be pretty aggressive and territorial and should be kept separate from other breeds in the flock.
The age of the chickens is also a factor to consider when determining which chicken breeds live well together. Chickens of different ages may not get along well, as the younger chickens may be seen as a threat to the older chickens, who may feel that the younger chickens are competing for food and space. Keeping chickens of similar ages in the same flock is the best way to ensure that all of the chickens in the flock get along.
Finally, the breed’s sex should also be considered when determining which chicken species live well together. Male chickens, or roosters, can be very aggressive and territorial, so they should be kept in separate flocks from female chickens, or hens. Roosters should also be kept away from younger chicks, as they can be very protective and may attack them.
