Chicken Compatibility

[lizzyeddie]

Are all breeds of Chickens combatible? If not is there a Chart or list somewhere that could show me what kinds of chickens get along? I have just moved to a house on an acre and wanted to get some chickens but I've never had any before and don't know anything about them so I have started doing some research. Any info anyone wants to throw in as well would be great! Thanks so much!

 

[Chicken James]

I have always had luck mixing breeds that I raised together. If you get chicks and look into docile breeds you should have no problem. I have Cochins, Wyendottes, Brahmas & Orpingtons and they all get along really well. Good luck!

 

[lizzyeddie]

Thanks so much! My neighbor was talking to us last night and we asked him some questions about his chickens and then he came back over like 10 minutes later and asked if we wanted them. He raises Boxers and they have been "terrorizing" the chickens, so he said that we could have them if we want them. my question is that he said that they have stopped laying eggs, and that they are a year apart, (they dont have them in the same cage) will they fight if we put them together? or if we buy new chicks this spring will they fight with the new chicks? Will they start laying eggs again after they have gotten settled in and don't have anything trying to eat them? okay that was alot...lol...thanks for your help!

 

[#1California Chick]

Welcome To BYC!!!

First of all, how old are the chickens? Have they stopped laying because it is winter (you don't say where you live) or because they are very old???

If the chickens have not been raised together, you will need to slowly get them used to each other. Did you neighbor say WHY he didn't keep them together??? If you get chicks, you will have to keep them separate until they get as big as the hens. THEN you will have to slowly get them used to each other.

If you intend to have more than two chickens, it will be easier be start with chicks, although it will take some time before they are laying!

Again, welcome!!

Cindy

 

[lizzyeddie]

Hi thanks for replying!

The hens are one and two years old. I live in Las Vegas. He said that the other chickens they had fought so they had just started keeping them seperate. These particular two haven't ever been together though. Do you think I should tell him no thanks and just go get chicks? I think i'll only want like 2 or three more though so i don't know...

How would I go about getting them used to eachother? put them in cages next to eachother or something? or wire between two different areas? What are the normal things to do when "acclimating" them with eachother?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[gumpsgirl]

You do need to be careful when mixing breeds if you have roosters involved. For example, an Orpington rooster would be way to large, and could kill/crush, most standard sized breeds.

It is okay to mix your breeds if you are careful about what you mix. I have mine mixed, but don't have an Orpington or Jersey Giant rooster in with them. Just make sure that whatever you mix, they would end up being compatible with each other if you end up putting roos in with the hens. (e.i. Large breeds with large breeds, standards with standards, bantams with bantams.)

!!!

 

[lizzyeddie]

So do i need to be careful if I plan on never having a rooster?