Barred Rock Bullying

[Marinefam2053]

I have just this week started to integrate my 3 younger Barred Rocks. I had thought that my older girls would be the ones with the pecking issues. Turns out it’s the opposite. Thankfully they aren’t hurting each other, but they clearly are showing their dominance. How long could this last? Is this normal for that breed?

 

[Pork Pie]

I’ve suggested your thread be moved in order for you to get the best advice

 

[DobieLover]

Welcome.
PBRs tend to be a dominant breed. Mine have not been bullies. If you have well over the minimum recommended space with places to get out of the line of sight and multiple food and water stations, let them work things out.

 

[Cryss]

Welcome to BYC!

I can only tell you my own experience. Many people have no problems with BR. I bought them to add to my flock because I read they were a friendly breed. They were good for about a year, then began attacking my Easter Egger, hubby's favorite hen. After trying all of the suggestions I gave up and gave them to a woman with a huge flock. They are doing great and my flock is back to being calm. A friend mentioned to me that BR are friendly with humans, but not with other breeds, especially calm docile breeds like I am trying to keep.
I'm sure others will chime in here with varying opinions and experiences. This was mine.
Good luck

 

[Marinefam2053]

I’ve suggested your thread be moved in order for you to get the best advice

Is this something that I would need to do, or an admin would do?

 

[Marinefam2053]

Welcome to BYC!

I can only tell you my own experience. Many people have no problems with BR. I bought them to add to my flock because I read they were a friendly breed. They were good for about a year, then began attacking my Easter Egger, hubby's favorite hen. After trying all of the suggestions I gave up and gave them to a woman with a huge flock. They are doing great and my flock is back to being calm. A friend mentioned to me that BR are friendly with humans, but not with other breeds, especially calm docile breeds like I am trying to keep.
I'm sure others will chime in here with varying opinions and experiences. This was mine.
Good luck

I am hoping that things just settle down on their own, since there are only 3 BR and 4 Eggers and 1 Rhode Island. The other 5 are about 3 weeks older, and now I am wishing that I would have added them in about a month ago when they were a little younger. They have space to get around, and thankfully there isn't any fighting in the coop at night. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

 

[sourland]

It's a 'chicken' thing, but barred rocks can more than hold their own. Generally the social order shuffling is resolved relatively readily with younger birds.

 

[Pork Pie]

Is this something that I would need to do, or an admin would do?

I’ve suggested a move so no further action is required (whether they move your thread is their prerogative)

 

[fldiver97]

Welcome Let then work out the new pecking order, as long as no one gets hurt

 

[aart]

I am hoping that things just settle down on their own, since there are only 3 BR and 4 Eggers and 1 Rhode Island. The other 5 are about 3 weeks older, and now I am wishing that I would have added them in about a month ago when they were a little younger. They have space to get around, and thankfully there isn't any fighting in the coop at night. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

How old are all the birds?
How did you add the new ones?
How much space, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help.

Here's some tips about ....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

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.