Build Your Flock Wisely

Planning a new flock of chickens, or adding to your existing flock, is always a fun and exciting experience.  There are many things to take into consideration while you are in the planning process. While it is fun to browse through all of the beautiful pictures and dream about rainbow cartons of eggs, establishing a flock that meets your needs is essential!

Purpose

Another big factor in choosing the perfect breeds for you is what purpose you want the birds to serve. You want to ensure you are choosing breeds that can meet your specific needs.  Whether you want egg layers, meat birds, or a dual-purpose breed, it is important to decide which traits are most desirable for your situation.

Temperment

Ensuring you choose breeds with a similar temperament is imperative to having a cohesive flock.  While each bird will have its own unique personality, choosing breeds that tend to have similar temperaments will benefit your flock all around.  Mixing breeds with a very docile temperament and those with a very dominant one can cause problems as the birds grow.  While there will always be a pecking order in each flock, choosing the right breeds can lead to a much happier experience for you as the flock keeper and for your birds. 

Size / Amount of Space

You must take into consideration the size of your coop and run space, as well as the size of the birds you are thinking of adding.  Larger breeds will need more space than bantams, for example. This also applies to the size and number of nesting boxes.  Ensuring the proper amount of space and the correct number of nesting boxes is crucial for flock harmony and egg production.

Egg Color / Number

Each breed lays a different color and number of eggs.  If you are planning your flock around the number or color of eggs they lay, make sure to check what each breed offers.  Also, double-check for broodiness, as this can affect the number of eggs you get each year. 

Chicken keeping is an incredibly rewarding experience, no matter what type of flock you have. The best way to make sure you have the best experience is to plan your flock wisely before placing an order. Reach out to our experienced customer service team if you need help planning your flock!