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# Manual, smart, and hybrid groups

For a group made from individual animal profiles, choose how membership should work. A fixed list is best when you know every member; rules are best when the group should stay current as your animals change.

## Choose how animals get added

On **Create group**, select **Animal profiles**, then choose one option under **How should animals get added?**

- **Choose animals myself** creates a fixed list. Search for the animals you want, and the list changes only when someone edits it.
- **Keep updated by rules** lets Creatures add or remove matching animals automatically.
- **Use rules, then adjust** starts with rule matches and lets you add individual animals that do not match.

Choose the fixed list for a show string, treatment cohort, or work team whose membership should stay intentional even when profile details change. Choose automatic rules for a living list such as all active heifers under one year. Choose the mixed option when a rule covers most animals and you want to add others yourself.

## Build a useful rule

For either rule-based choice, use one or more of these visible filters: **Species**, **Breed**, **Sex**, **Status**, **Age under**, and **Withdrawal status**. **Age under** is measured in years. Leave a field on “Any”, or leave the age blank, when it should not narrow the group.

You can also describe the animals in plain language and select **Suggest rules**. Review every suggested field before saving. Creatures shows an editable rule and a preview of matching animals; it does not silently create or change the group.

![Rule builder with editable filters, Suggest rules, and the preview area](https://cdn-test.creatures.com/009/0d9/b1a/bfca0.png?width=1760)

**In withdrawal now** finds animals with an active withdrawal hold, such as a waiting period recorded after medication. It does not create or clear a hold.

## Check the result

Open the group and read **Why these animals are included**. It tells you whether someone chose the list or whether rules keep it updated. Use **Animals** to inspect the actual members and **Activity** to review membership changes.

![Group overview explaining why its animals are included](https://cdn-test.creatures.com/6eb/ec1/b5e/d7190.png?width=1760)

If a result surprises you, compare the animal's profile with each active filter. A missing species or breed, a different status, an age outside the limit, or an active withdrawal hold can all change whether it matches. For a hybrid group, also check whether someone added that animal manually. Removing a manual addition does not exclude an animal that still matches the rules.

### Related information

- [Create and manage animal groups](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/create-and-manage-animal-groups-xbv2ht/)
- [Apply records and track activity for a group](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/apply-records-and-track-activity-for-a-group-xhe5f5/)