Brooder Bullies

[factorychick]

This is my 2nd year of chicks so still fairly new to the chicken life. This year I decided to get 6 Rhode Island reds along with a dozen others all around 2 weeks old ( buff orphingtons, eastereggers, black copper marans, etc). I guess the marans and ameracaunas I got last year were so chill in comparison, but I feel like these RIR's are wild brooder bullies. I ended up separating them from the others since they just trample and constantly pick at them. Is this normal for that breed to be like this?

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. I have read that RIRs can be a bit anti-social, but I don't have any first hand experience with them.

The Learning Centre is a great resource, even for experienced chicken keepers - loads of info on anything chicken. https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Joining your state thread will also put you in contact with other BYC members in your area.

(https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread)


All the best
CT

 

[drumstick diva]

I have never had them either but, have read that they are aggressive birds.

 

[N F C]

I've had a couple RIR's that I raised from chicks and never had any trouble with them in the brooder alongside Easter Eggers. Once they got older, one of them became the head hen of the flock but she wasn't a bully at all...she kept the peace by keeping everyone in their place but wasn't mean about it. The one RIR bird I have now is about 2 1/2 years old and is a sweetheart. Based on my experience with them, I think they have sort of a bad reputation but there can be the bully within any breed.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!