Barred Rock Bullies

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

When I ordered my BR chicks I chose them because of their strong personalities. I knew they needed to be at least somewhat assertive in order to deal with my RIR's. Yesterday during the dinner break one of the BR's flew into the run. Only one hen chased her but no murderous type pecking occurred. A second one tried the same thing and ended up running through the entire run. A little chasing, but then right back to their safe place. So I think taking it slow is working. I keep hoping.

 

[chickens really]

Birds of a feather flock together..Barred Rock are not as Docile as Orpington and definitely colours matter with certain breeds. It might take a few weeks but then again they may always be two separated flocks trying to live together...

 

[aart]

Needing some advice on chicken bullying... A couple of months ago we got 4 barred rock pullets and have recently added 2 orpingtons to our small flock. We introduced the orpingtons slowly and kept them separate from the rocks for a while. Now they are all in the same coop/run together (the run is approximately 15x4m) and the orpingtons are getting picked on. It's been almost 2 weeks and they still can't get near the rocks without being chased. We expected some tension but I had hoped it would subside quickly. There doesn't seem to be much pecking, more chasing. Is this normal? Will it get better with time? At what point do we step in? We're new to backyard chickens and I'm feeling quite sorry for the orpingtons!! It's hard to watch them get picked on we've even considered selling 2 of the barred rocks. Would appreciate any thoughts or advice!

How old are these birds?
Run size is nice.....how big is coop?
Dimensions and pics would help.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[Clucky-Cathy]

The standard way I’ve read about to introduce new birds to an established flock is to put a fence of some kind between them. See but don’t touch. After a couple of weeks you can remove the barrier and see how they do. If the newbies are significantly smaller than the old girls, you may want to (at some point) make a door through the fence too small for the bigs to pass through. That’s the means for the littles to mingle as they feel ready and also the escape route in case it’s not working out.

Ultimately it’s up to your Orps to stand up for themselves. You can’t do it for them. I have the same problem with my cows. There are three and the white one is my favorite. The smallest one bullies her all the time. If I’m there I’ll run her off, but Eden is bigger... she could stand up to the little poophead (Cait). I can’t make her do it. Even cows have a pecking order.

If the old girls keep pecking at the new ones and it troubles you too much to enjoy them, you could always remove one group or the other. I’ve heard that barred rocks can be a bit aggressive and my Orps are sweet and docile. Or you can just let them get it sorted. It may take some time.

Thanks for your advice Cindy. We'll give them a month or so and see if things settle down. It's hard not to step in, but yes the Orpington's do need to learn to stand up for themselves, you're right. Hope your cows are well!!

 

[Clucky-Cathy]

My Barred Rocks have quite dominant personalities. If you have an all hen flock, as I do, you need these birds as they take on the rooster's role of protecting & managing the flock. They will settle down, especially as your new birds come onto the lay. Laying confers a certain status within my flock I've noticed. The pecking order, by it's very nature, means there are high status birds & low ones & the birds need to sort this out for themselves. What you do need to watch for is that no~one is being forced off the food & water. Set up multiple stations if necessary.

Oh interesting, I didn't know that the more dominant females would take on the rooster's role but that's very handy. None of them are laying yet (not even the BR though they are close I think) so perhaps as they start to lay they will mature a bit more. We have multiple water and food spots (even a water feature!) so the Orpington's are okay in that respect.

 

[Clucky-Cathy]

How old are these birds?
Run size is nice.....how big is coop?
Dimensions and pics would help.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

Hi, from what we were told the BR are 4.5 months old now and the Orpington's should be too, but when we picked up the Orpington's they seemed too small to be 4 months old. I'd guess they're more like 3.5 months. None are laying yet.
The coop is 1.2x0.6m (photos attached - we have altered it quite a lot since we took these photos but it's still the same size). We have multiple food and water and lots of bushes for the Orpington's to hide in.

Thanks for the advice about not interfering or they'll have to start to establish pecking order all over again. There hasn't been any blood drawn so I think the Orpington's will be safe. Hard to stand by and watch but from everyone's comments I know it will get better!!

 

[Ribh]

Oh interesting, I didn't know that the more dominant females would take on the rooster's role but that's very handy. None of them are laying yet (not even the BR though they are close I think) so perhaps as they start to lay they will mature a bit more. We have multiple water and food spots (even a water feature!) so the Orpington's are okay in that respect.

The hens always seem to know who's coming on the lay. I'm integrating new, more docile breeds with more dominant BAs & BRS @ present. As each new hen comes on the lay she is more accepted by the established girls & higher up the pecking order, which is still in a state of flux as some of my older girls are molting & off the lay. It's taken about a month for my girls to settle down but even my worst bully [a BR BTW] has stopped. My top hen is molting & the BR is taking on her role @ present; new to the job & all that.

 

[aart]

The coop is 1.2x0.6m (photos attached - we have altered it quite a lot since we took these photos but it's still the same size).

That's tight space for 6 birds...even if the do get to free range most the time.

 

[Clucky-Cathy]

That's tight space for 6 birds...even if the do get to free range most the time.

Whoops, sorry I got the measurements wrong!! It's 1.2x2.4m. They only spend time in the coop at night when roosting, the rest of the day they are in the run or sometimes we let them free range.