Mixed flock- help!

tworedwellies

In the Brooder
Apr 14, 2025
19
26
41
Portland, OR
hi! *new chicken owner, in the city*

I had planned our 1st flock being mixed, choosing family friendly breeds since we have a 4.5 year old kiddo and wanted chickens that would be okay with pets or cuddles, as well as ones that'd likely get along with each other... so out of what was going to be available at our farm store, I had planned on getting->
1 Buff Orp, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Speckled Sussex and 1-2 Silkies.

however of course by choosing a mixed flock, the Silkies were available on different week than the rest.. and I could get a Buff & BR on the same day, and the speckled sussex a week later, which I figured would be close enough for those 3 to be in brooder together... so right now I have 4 Silkies at 5 weeks old (cuz half or more will likely be rooster which I would need to rehome) and 1 Buff & 1 Barred Rock at 1 week old...
I was expecting to pick up a Sussex today to complete the group of bigger hens... however of course the week's order was cancelled and Sussex not available until way way later in the summer...
So my question for you is--- are the 2 bigger hens okay with just the 2 of them? or should I go back to the farm store and get 1 more of what's left available (buff orp, barred rock or an easter egger) ?

Thanks in advance!
 
hi! *new chicken owner, in the city*

I had planned our 1st flock being mixed, choosing family friendly breeds since we have a 4.5 year old kiddo and wanted chickens that would be okay with pets or cuddles, as well as ones that'd likely get along with each other... so out of what was going to be available at our farm store, I had planned on getting->
1 Buff Orp, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Speckled Sussex and 1-2 Silkies.

however of course by choosing a mixed flock, the Silkies were available on different week than the rest.. and I could get a Buff & BR on the same day, and the speckled sussex a week later, which I figured would be close enough for those 3 to be in brooder together... so right now I have 4 Silkies at 5 weeks old (cuz half or more will likely be rooster which I would need to rehome) and 1 Buff & 1 Barred Rock at 1 week old...
I was expecting to pick up a Sussex today to complete the group of bigger hens... however of course the week's order was cancelled and Sussex not available until way way later in the summer...
So my question for you is--- are the 2 bigger hens okay with just the 2 of them? or should I go back to the farm store and get 1 more of what's left available (buff orp, barred rock or an easter egger) ?

Thanks in advance!
Good question. You could do either way. I usually get the chickens I want and then pare my flock down later by selling the bullies, the super shy or smaller ones, the ones that don't fit in. I work for the good of the flock as a whole and try not to get too attached to individual members until I'm sure they'll be staying (this could be a year or more). You may find that you will have to house your large fowl and silkies separately, because the larger chickens will bully and feather pick the smaller silkies. In fact, you might consider picking either silkies, or the large fowl chickens as a first flock - mixing them can be fine, or can cause issues, depending on the individual birds you end up with. As they mature, things may change as far as them all getting along, and you may rehome one or two that just don't fit in well. Be prepared to do that.
 
Good question. You could do either way. I usually get the chickens I want and then pare my flock down later by selling the bullies, the super shy or smaller ones, the ones that don't fit in. I work for the good of the flock as a whole and try not to get too attached to individual members until I'm sure they'll be staying (this could be a year or more). You may find that you will have to house your large fowl and silkies separately, because the larger chickens will bully and feather pick the smaller silkies. In fact, you might consider picking either silkies, or the large fowl chickens as a first flock - mixing them can be fine, or can cause issues, depending on the individual birds you end up with. As they mature, things may change as far as them all getting along, and you may rehome one or two that just don't fit in well. Be prepared to do that.
Okay thanks for responding,
I'm totally bummed because I planned the flock (the best I could) around getting the Speckled Sussex (someone once told me they were the best!)... otherwise I could have gotten all the ones I currently have in the same week, which would have omitted the hassle of combining the 2 chick flocks... argh! ah well! A learning process I suppose...

I guess I was mostly concerned that the big hens would only be 2 if they didn't get along with the Silkies, so they might need a 3rd buddy.. We could wait until we know the sexes of the Silkies, but thats like 2-3 months away! and then I'd have to get 2 more of another bird (rather than just getting the extra 1 now)...
 
Okay thanks for responding,
I'm totally bummed because I planned the flock (the best I could) around getting the Speckled Sussex (someone once told me they were the best!)... otherwise I could have gotten all the ones I currently have in the same week, which would have omitted the hassle of combining the 2 chick flocks... argh! ah well! A learning process I suppose...

I guess I was mostly concerned that the big hens would only be 2 if they didn't get along with the Silkies, so they might need a 3rd buddy.. We could wait until we know the sexes of the Silkies, but thats like 2-3 months away! and then I'd have to get 2 more of another bird (rather than just getting the extra 1 now)...
I'd get extra now, then sells the ones you don't want to keep. Raise everyone once.
 
Okay thanks for responding,
I'm totally bummed because I planned the flock (the best I could) around getting the Speckled Sussex (someone once told me they were the best!)... otherwise I could have gotten all the ones I currently have in the same week, which would have omitted the hassle of combining the 2 chick flocks... argh! ah well! A learning process I suppose...

I guess I was mostly concerned that the big hens would only be 2 if they didn't get along with the Silkies, so they might need a 3rd buddy.. We could wait until we know the sexes of the Silkies, but thats like 2-3 months away! and then I'd have to get 2 more of another bird (rather than just getting the extra 1 now)...
Speckled Sussex are gorgeous, but not always the best layers. It really depends who you talk to, and each chicken is an individual.

The more time you spend with them, the more tame they may be.
 

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