I'm new to raising chickens- I started 11 weeks ago, purchasing a dozen Red Sex Link pullets. What a joy they have been! Very chill demeanor, friendly, not too skittish (around me anyways), they like to follow me around and come running to me whenever I greet them outside. Needless to say, I love them!
Because of such great results with the RSLs, I decided to get a dozen more, this time Barred Plymouth Rocks. I could tell just by watching them on the drive home that they would give me problems. They currently are 3 weeks old and CRAZY. They are constantly chirping loudly and running/trying to fly around. They are terrified of me, despite me working with them to get them used to me. If I open the brooder they try to immediately fly out and run around in mass confusion. They love pecking at me and each other (not harmful yet). It takes so much time to round them up to put them back in the brooder once I have them outside on nice days because they run from me and whoever is trying to help. While it is comical, it can be rather frustrating, especially after my first batch of amazingly well behaved chicks- who just wanted to sleep, eat, poop and chill.
I realize that they're still young and that I should keep working with them- but it's just so crazy how the demeanors differ from breed to breed. I'm already not liking them as much as the previous batch and I don't want that to happen. I want to enjoy working with all of my flock.
I'm also concerned for when it's time to combine the breeds in the coop. I plan on integrating them slowly so everyone can get used to each other. I'm just nervous that the BPRs will give the RSLs problems and they won't be able to coexist.
Any thoughts, suggestions or advice is welcome!
Thanks!
xxx
Because of such great results with the RSLs, I decided to get a dozen more, this time Barred Plymouth Rocks. I could tell just by watching them on the drive home that they would give me problems. They currently are 3 weeks old and CRAZY. They are constantly chirping loudly and running/trying to fly around. They are terrified of me, despite me working with them to get them used to me. If I open the brooder they try to immediately fly out and run around in mass confusion. They love pecking at me and each other (not harmful yet). It takes so much time to round them up to put them back in the brooder once I have them outside on nice days because they run from me and whoever is trying to help. While it is comical, it can be rather frustrating, especially after my first batch of amazingly well behaved chicks- who just wanted to sleep, eat, poop and chill.
I realize that they're still young and that I should keep working with them- but it's just so crazy how the demeanors differ from breed to breed. I'm already not liking them as much as the previous batch and I don't want that to happen. I want to enjoy working with all of my flock.
I'm also concerned for when it's time to combine the breeds in the coop. I plan on integrating them slowly so everyone can get used to each other. I'm just nervous that the BPRs will give the RSLs problems and they won't be able to coexist.
Any thoughts, suggestions or advice is welcome!
Thanks!
xxx
