Chicken shack Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 (edited) Is it ok to mix hybreds and pure breeds I have three hybrids and would like to get 3 more girls. I am confused as I would like to rehome ex-batts however I am concerned I wouldn't be able to manage them. I worry about the hybrids as they lay so many eggs and never get a rest. If I can mix which would be the best and also be reasonably good layers Sorry so many questions. Edited January 16, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Not had exbats so can't help you there but I've introduced wyandotte bantams, orp bantam and pekin to my hybrids its a matter of taking it slowly and waiting till they are nearly mature to prevent problems. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txswanie Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I have 2 Gingernuts in with a Maran, Wyandotte, Easter Egger and a Polish. No problems so far. The Gingers and the Wyandotte are still laying while everyone else is having a winter vacation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I have a fair old mix. If you want pure breeds you could look at marans and welsummers for the dark brown eggs. I have LF and mini wellies and two marans. They are nice girls, especially the mini wellies who are quite cheeky and run to me when I go inside the run. Regarding laying, have a look in some books for egg laying capabilities but remember they are just a guide. Cochins are supposedly very poor layers. I have a blue one who goes broody at the drop of a hat and is poor. However, I have a splash who lays three eggs a week once February comes. I also have a LF Australorp who lays well. What kind of pure breeds do you like? I love the feathery legged girls with the massive bloomers and therefore I have brahmas, cochins and pekins maonly. See what takes your fancy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Oh, and I meant to say that I have mine mixed in with my last remaining ex-batt and a few hybrids. Have fun choosing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 We've got 4 ex batts that we got last July and also 4 pure breeds that we bought back in September. We did the usual introduction thing of keeping them separate for the first 6wks, although they could see each other. They all get along very well with each other and we've not had any problems, although they have the odd spat which I think is quite normal. The ex batts do seem to be more confident than the pure breeds, but that could be because our pure breeds are still quite young, but we have noticed that the ex batts will try out foods and investigate things much more than the pure breeds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I've got a mix of pure breeds and hybrids. Just follow the usual introduction advice and you should be fine. Not had ex-bats though so can't comment on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I have a mix of hybrids, pure breeds and ex batts and they all get along fine. Introductions are the same for all, but the ex batts may need a bit longer on their own before meeting the other girls as they are often quite weak when rescued. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella14 Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I have a Buff Orpington and a Barnavelder with two hybrids. No problems at all. First and foremost they are all just chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 At the moment I have 6 hybrids, I intend to get some ex-batts soon and then I will get some pure breeds. I think they will all mix so long as you take it slowly. Good luck. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I've often mixed ex batts with other hybrids and pure breeds and have found it no more challenging than any other intro, so long as you have nursed the ex batts back to a reasonable strength first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I also have a mix and it works well for me. I found this winter that I was eggless,due to my pures not laying and my hybrids getting old,so I injected a new lot of hybrids into the flock with no problems at all. The pures are coming back into lay now,and I an getting 5 eggs a day from my 9 hens. My next new hens ( I am always planning the next ones) will be 2 pures and 2 hybrids.......I really fancy a Barnvelder for the flock. I like having a good mix of hen breeds and egg colours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 My next new hens ( I am always planning the next ones) will be 2 pures and 2 hybrids.......I really fancy a Barnvelder for the flock. I like having a good mix of hen breeds and egg colours. I like planning too I like my mix of egg colours from my hybrids, I have only had hybrids so far, so I am looking forward to learning more about pures Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
