Are chooks racist?

[randomchick]

I had a broody mother kill any chick that hatched that wasn't yellow. I gave her a mix to sit on and she killed 4 black/brown babies and there are three healthy yellow ones running around. I was so mad. This happened in the spring and by fall that chicken was soup. Can't have a hen killing coloured chicks around here. She also became soup because she was slowing in her laying and picked on larger dark birds as well.

 

[Uzuri]

Maybe it's because I had so few and they decided that safety in numbers was better than segregation, but mine didn't show preference.

Now, ROOSTER, on the other hand, he only appears to want to romance the silvery-colored hens. The two lighter colored B&Ws I have have bare patches, the browns have ruffled feathers, and the blacks have nice smooth backs for the most part.

So my hens are enlightened, but my rooster's a racist.

 

[3goodeggs]

Quote:
They made their own little Vinn diagram. They were just practicing their third grade math skills.

 

[kelidei]

I find this interesting because I have noticed the same thing. I have several birds each of several different breeds and the BO's tend to hang with the BO's, BA's with BA's, RIR's with RIR's, etc.... The only exception are my older BO and BA that I moved in with the younger ones a couple months ago--- they hang together!

 

[Gelky]

Just off the wall with no research on this, but maybe it's like a school of fishes. The like color stick together to they look like a bigger chicken to detract the predators.

 

[KandJsmama]

We have 3 EEs and 3 BSLs and they keep to themselves. The BSLs even peck at the EEs whenever they try to eat near them. When they roost at night they are usually segregated by breed also. They were all brooder mates too!

 

[kcsunshine]

Shhhhhh! We'll have the govt. in on this. You know it's against the law to segregate! (Disclaimer: This is intended as fun and not political)

 

[EweSheep]

When I got my Welsummer bantams in the flock with my mixed flock, I noticed they go with the bigger cousins, the LF Welsummers. I must admit, they are racists! They want nothing to do with the other breeds.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

I have to agree that they show preferences with similar colorations. I had a lone barred hen years ago that adopted 2 keets that would have other wise been bullied. I felt that they all saw a similarity in the colorings.

 

[newchickmom09]

I have EE, BA, SLW, and GLW. My 2 BA have always hung out together from day one, the 3 EE have always hung out together, then the two wyandottes hang together. They all get along but you can deffiantly tell who is which ones favorites.

My guess is that since mine are from hatcheries they hatch in the same area with there own breeds and inprint on them.

Just my guess. Makes sence in my head.