Are Wyandottes good with other breeds

[carolb0101]

Hi All

After looking round a poultry sale this morning, my OH fancies Silver Laced Wyandottes. Will 2 of these be OK with a hybrid RIR?

Also, is it best to get 3 birds that are all approximately the same age, or can they be about 8 weeks different (I saw some 10 weeks Silver Laced and a 20 week Golden Laced).

And, are they hardy, easy to look after birds?
Thanks

 

[Chuck]

There's always a risk of bullying when you introduce new chickens and the new ones need to be mature so they can at least try to stand up for themselves. If you have limited space this becomes even more of a problem. How old is/are your hybrids ?

Theoretically there is no reason why you should not bring in new chickens as most of us do it, it's just the practicalities as really the new birds need to go into isolation for two weeks from the day they arrive.

 

[chrismahon]

Wyandottes can be pretty feisty but we've only had serious problems with the Blue Laced. The Gold Laced and the Vanillas were fine. So I don't think they are too troublesome. Worst we've had were Wyandotte Bantams -really nasty. But Wyandottes are an old American Utility breed like Rhode Island Reds and we've had an extremely feisty one of those. They are aggressive by nature to protect their food supply and subsequently egg production. We even have a feisty Orpington, but the rest are the placid nature they are supposed to be. Wyandottes are certainly hardy Carolb, unless bred from a weak strain, but it's going to be pot luck with the nature. We have a hybrid RIR. She's called Daffodil and she's lovely.

 

[carolb0101]

We haven't got any yet, but are probably going to get them all at the same time from the same person.

He has invited us to go and look at all his chooks and his setup when we are ready.

Just getting the ground ready as it is really boggy. There is only about 2" of top soil on top of clay, so with the rain we've had here in Ireland the past couple of weeks (although nowhere as much as the UK) it was far too wet and took a while to dry out.

All the stuff needed for the run is ready - can't wait to get it done. 17

 

[Chuck]

If you are going to get them from the same place, they may well have lived together so should get on OK. I'd take advice from the seller if you think he/she is OK.

 

[Marigold]

Excellent idea to get them all from the same place at the same time - less chance of cross- infection than if they came from different outfits, and if they have been penned together, should be easier to settle without fighting.