Added buff orpington to 6 4 week old RIR

[stevenb1985]

So I have been raising 6 [4.5 weeks old] chicks. The chicks have been doing fine on their own and they have a heat lamp that is mounted and a descent shelter. They live outside already temps have been higher than expected. I acquired a buff orpington, 18 months old, and they are reputed for being good mothers. I decided to add in the orpington directly to the flock of pullets.

They have a coop of their own that is over 50 sq ft. There are no other adults. I check it daily for any issues as well as food supply and water supply/ice. I don't expect a mother/child bond to establish, but I am wondering if my chicks will be safe with an adult hen in the mix. Since it is an orpington, will it just leave them alone?

 

[peckyscotch]

I heard that older hens will attack younger ones but maybe I'm wrong... Hope so!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I have a ten week old and 12 three week olds. They are inside and seperated but I let them all out together for their treats. Now mind you, my 10 week old was a loner chick and is more like a parrot than a chicken because it's been spoiled...lol, but when they are all out together my 10 week old doesn't go after the young ones, as a matter of fact it's just the opposite, I have a couple little roos that like to challenge my 10 week old (I am uncertain still of Peep's gender). Peep will peck back, usually it's beak to beak, but the little guys are the antagonists with mine...lol.
Theoretically I would think, with the older one being the new chicken and the younger ones being the home advantage and having more of them, it shouldn't be too much of an issue, unless they go after her, then I would expect her to defend herself, but I could be wrong.

 

[stevenb1985]

Unfortunately, you are right! I spied on them through a crack and saw the BO going for them. Funny though when I made my presence known the BO stopped and acted like nothing was wrong. The chicks however, showed there was a problem. It was like watching an episode of cops when the police show up because some dude is drunk and beating up on people. I was the cop, my BO was the drunk, and the chicks were getting the beating.

They now live in adjacent coops. They can see each other, but they cannot go over to the other side.

 

[stevenb1985]

Eventually they will have to live with each other. My chicks are all RIR. I noticed RIR are very cliquish. When the chicks get older. I imagine the tables will turn a lot.