California - Northern

[chiqita]

  The Spanish chickens won me over and the French chickens had to go.  

Well at least my chickens economy is better.

After this week they can all make fun of the Silkies who are going to have to sell their gold and diamond watering bowels...

 

[caychris]

Loving my pita girls and the boys arent too bad either. I have 5 of young cockerels right now that Ill be moving out to Neals to grow out. I have 8 pullets between Debi and Rons birds for my breeding program to start next year.

I am very pleased with the boy I kept this year he is a real gentleman with the girls and the early aggressiveness from being caged a little too long is all gone. The girls who used to ignore him when he would call to treats etc now come running when they are in yard time. He is turning into a beautiful big bird.

Girls are super friendly.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

I'd say most of them in the US are in California. Between the pintas and the pens we are the US capital of Spanish chickens.

haha yep thats because our climate. Perfect for them

Yes, there are a lot of them here. @Hangtown Farms has a bunch. Jason had Black, Crele, Partridge and Empordanesa.

I hope he still has them!

Im mostly with Black now Ron. I have some Crele still and trying to build that flock up again. I had the Emp's but was trying to make room so i moved them. I was able to hatch 2 from a friend. ones a Rooster for sure other hoping a gal but sometimes they don't show so quick. Especially with a dominant rooster chick in there or two

 

[motherofazoo]

Please help a newbie out! My two bigger chickens (5 months) have been getting to know our two younger (3 months) in the coop with a divider. I tried putting them up for the night together after the big ones went to bed, but as soon as I did the leader started pecking them and scared them out of the perching area to the coop floor. Do I try again later in the night? Do I just put them together in the morning and see how it goes? Is it okay for some bullying to establish pecking order? I don't want the little ones hurt, and I don't know what's appropriate pecking vs. I need to step in. With only having four it seems like it is harder than if there were a bunch.

 

[caychris]

Please help a newbie out! My two bigger chickens (5 months) have been getting to know our two younger (3 months) in the coop with a divider. I tried putting them up for the night together after the big ones went to bed, but as soon as I did the leader started pecking them and scared them out of the perching area to the coop floor. Do I try again later in the night? Do I just put them together in the morning and see how it goes? Is it okay for some bullying to establish pecking order? I don't want the little ones hurt, and I don't know what's appropriate pecking vs. I need to step in. With only having four it seems like it is harder than if there were a bunch.

Try again late at night.
Also at 5 and 3 months the size differences will create some issues. The smaller ones running in fear will somewhat encourage the larger ones to assert themselves. If you see continued aggression after the loser runs away then step in. But if its just some dominance statements they will eventually sort themselves out.
As the younger get to the same size there will be less and less posturing, Also some breeds feel the need to do this more than others it seems what chickens do you have.

 

[motherofazoo]

The bigger ones are a red sex link and black australorp (she's the one who pecked) the little ones are both basque. Their size difference is pretty big.

 

[caychris]

The bigger ones are a red sex link and black australorp (she's the one who pecked) the little ones are both basque. Their size difference is pretty big.

I think you are probably fine letting them sort things out. But waiting another month will bring them closer in side to each other though the Basque will probably be smaller than the Lorp anyway as long as she isnt chasing them down cornering them to savage them you are probably ok.once everyone knows their place things are usually good. If you can get them to eat together as well that usually is good.

Some treat like watermelon or vegetable scraps first thing in the morning when they wake up together or in the early evening before bed can help bond them too. Make sure there is enough room. If they have yard time together that helps too where there is room to run and hide and plenty to occupy the larger birds besides chasing littler birds. If you see the larger bird doing more such as ripping feathers out and actually attacking the smaller bird take the aggressor for time out. Australorps can be bossy head hens but are usually not overly aggressive to the point of injuring flock mates. (The orpington in their genes tends to tone down aggression) It is a pecking order after all. The older ones tend to look upon the younger ones presence as a bit of an annoyance. "Uncivilized children who do not know how to behave" If the get in line right they are welcomed in the flock. The kids though just think the biggies are scary and dont want anything to do with them so they are not likely to listen to the "friendly" advice coming from their older wiser buddies.

 

[Happy Chooks]

A few recent pics. Just thought I'd share.

Thanks for sharing the pictures! I'm glad they are all doing well. I haven't forgotten about the Barnevelder, I'm just trying to find a time to meet!

 

[motherofazoo]

I think you are probably fine letting them sort things out. But waiting another month will bring them closer in side to each other though the Basque will probably be smaller than the Lorp anyway as long as she isnt chasing them down cornering them to savage them you are probably ok.once everyone knows their place things are usually good. If you can get them to eat together as well that usually is good.

Some treat like watermelon or vegetable scraps first thing in the morning when they wake up together or in the early evening before bed can help bond them too. Make sure there is enough room. If they have yard time together that helps too where there is room to run and hide and plenty to occupy the larger birds besides chasing littler birds. If you see the larger bird doing more such as ripping feathers out and actually attacking the smaller bird take the aggressor for time out. Australorps can be bossy head hens but are usually not overly aggressive to the point of injuring flock mates. (The orpington in their genes tends to tone down aggression) It is a pecking order after all. The older ones tend to look upon the younger ones presence as a bit of an annoyance. "Uncivilized children who do not know how to behave" If the get in line right they are welcomed in the flock. The kids though just think the biggies are scary and dont want anything to do with them so they are not likely to listen to the "friendly" advice coming from their older wiser buddies.

Thanks! We put them together later in the night and things were quiet. So far this morning they are doing okay, the littles running away when the bigs assert themselves and the bigs more interested in food. Praying it stays that way. Thanks for all the help.

 

[caychris]

Thanks! We put them together later in the night and things were quiet. So far this morning they are doing okay, the littles running away when the bigs assert themselves and the bigs more interested in food. Praying it stays that way. Thanks for all the help.

Just make sure that the smaller ones are not being denied food by the bigs. Having more than one location for food helps this.