[Robert_S]

Hi, just a quick question, I want to add a couple of chickens to our current flock of 4 Amber Stars. The wife wants to get a couple of brown types, but I would prefer another couple of what we already have. Is there any opinion on whether integration of new birds into a flock would be affected by breed type?

My opinion is the Amber Stars seem quite placid, I wouldnt want another type to come in and potentially bully them, but I am new to this so that's just a gut feeling.

[joyfull]

I have black, white, lavender, silver spangled, brown, millefleur, lemon millefleur, cuckoo, etc and they have no problems.
When you get new hens you will have the usual pecking order fights which can look very nasty and you need to have purple spray and wound powder on hand just in case. Don't forget to isolate any new birds for a few weeks just in case they are incubating any illnesses. Keep them in sight of the original birds so that they get used to each other to help minimise any aggressive behavoir.
My Amberlinks (same as amber stars) were the opposite to yours and very aggressive - they didn't mind brown or blue hens but hated black ones.

[Robert_S]

Thanks Joyfull, I will have to try to come up with another reason to stay with the white ones!

Its good advice about keeping them separate due to the possibility of diseases and to get used to each other, but I only have one coop so it's not really possible.  I read that its best to introduce them at night when they have gone to roost to lessen the effect of the intrusion, so I will perhaps try that.

Of the six chickens I bought just before x-mas, 1 died overnight in the coop without any prior warning, and one had to be culled because it had wry neck.  Not too happy!  The other 4 are in fine fettle, and I haven't been neglecting them...quite the opposite.

[ANHBUC]

Always best to have another form of accommodation in case of illness.  If you are handy you could make a temporary coop which you can use as a quarantine/hospital coop if needed. 

[Robert_S]

Fair comment, and I have been building a shed at home which may leave enough shiplap left over to have a good stab at a small coop, so I had probably better have a serious think about that. Thanks  

Also had some good news that the breeder where I bought the chicks from has offered to replace the two that died at the start of Feb when he's got some more ready, so that is a result, and gives me a few weeks to sort out a new coop too.

[ANHBUC]

That is good news and the sign of a breeder who cares about his poultry, one you will go back to and recommend to others.  Good luck with your joinery project.  There are loads of design ideas on here if you do a search.