A New Pecking Order

[Madie'sOddFlock]

I just added 3 young pullets(hopefully) to a 10 bird flock. They all appear to be younger than the rest of the flock, but we're making it work. The smallest(White Leghorn) still has fluff in a few places. The middle one(WL) has been acting like a mother hen and protects her from the older pullets. The biggest(Buff Orpington) has even got my rooster scared of her as of the last hour or so. The pullet that is at the top of the pecking order(a BLRW) must have made her angry enough and she's started going after her. I'm actually hoping that the Orpington ends up the top of the pecking order or at least puts Sapphire(BLRW) in her place.
Is it at all surprising that my roo(BLRW) seems to have absolutely no problem with having new pullets?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Nope. Some roosters will welcome new girls and protect them. Others will attack them. Every rooster is different.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Forgot to add your rooster is a smart one. I don't care for those dumb enough to attack future mates.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

It sounds like you have a young cockerel instead of an adult rooster and he has as of yet not come to dominate the entire flock. If you are uncomfortable with the concept of a rooster dominating your flock of chickens then get rid of the rooster.

 

[aart]

How old are your 'old' birds?

 

[Madie'sOddFlock]

How old are your 'old' birds?

... By older, I mean about 17-18 weeks old vs like 6-11 weeks....

 

[aart]

... By older, I mean about 17-18 weeks old vs like 6-11 weeks....

Oh, they are all still 'immature'.
Should be interesting to watch the order shift as time goes on.

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

Oh, they are all still 'immature'.
Should be interesting to watch the order shift as time goes on.

My dad had triple by pass this week and before the heart atttack he had spent about 2 weeks trying to integrate. I went up to visit and they are definitely 2 flocks although no one is fighting. Just the usual this is my food not yours. I noticed they were just a little younger than the rest. The rooster seems to wanna protect them. He tries to break up the chasing, and they try to follow him.