Chicken psychology

[Bawkbok]

Thank you again for this information. I will research the cameras.

Our Golden Comet - a year old - has recently relinquished her lead position to the Orpington, 10 months old. I'm hoping the newbie of 3:2 ratio will not be too much for the current girls to manage - with my intervention.

It's been a rough start up year for us with so many varied medical issues including Marek's. Really hoping this combination will work. More lessons to learn - onward we go.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Oops, so I might have goofed?? We have three pullets arriving this week, two Orps to add to the one we already have an a Cinnamon Queen which is a hybrid of RIR and RIW. Do I need to be concerned about this?

Personally I would not worry about the breeds. You don't have enough for breed tendencies to mean much. If you had a lot of a specific breed you might see a tendency but with only one or two you don't know if they are average, high, or low on a specific trait.

If you read enough stories on here you can find stories where any breed was an absolute sweetheart or an absolute terror to other breeds or even there own breed. Any breed. For example

A bunch of my Orps got into a fight once and I was able to intervene before it got too late, because I saw it on the camera (otherwise I can't get out there every time they squawk, as they squawk over minor stuff all the time). They are normally a very peaceful breed, but even peaceful chickens can find something to fight over. In this case, it was teenage drama and trying to establish the pecking order. One of them had beef with another, and the rest jumped on the bandwagon and ganged up on the victim, just to earn easy points in the hierarchy. The victim's head was all bloody and she lost part of her comb.

I can't remember what your facilities look like. One big factor in behaviors is how much room they have. Even after they are integrated the tighter they are housed the more likely you are to have behavior issues. Give them as much room as you realistically can.

They typically need even more room during integration. You have three immature pullets and two mature hens. No rooster. I have a lot more than that. What I'd expect is that the three new ones will form a separate flock and avoid the two older ones until they start to lay. They need enough room during the day and at night to avoid the older ones. Each situation is different. Yours might mingle a lot more than mine typically do. But then, they might not.

To me how much room you have, the personality of the individual chickens, and your integration techniques are much more important than breed. Good luck!

 

[BigBird 2025]

My suggestion is to talk it over with them. Ask your questions and see what you can work out. They are all run by different people and can have different criteria. I can't tell you what they will do but they can.

If they will not do individuals or have a minimum that is more than you want, consider trying to find someone to split an order with.

thank you for your valuable input, there are two places nearby I can get chicks that I am aware of at the moment without a considerable drive. Ill have a talk as you suggested and see what they say.

 

[BigBird 2025]

If you already have grown chickens in the flock and the Cinnamon Queen will be younger (and a single one), that's already important factors in your favor. The older chickens will be higher in the hierarchy on seniority alone, and will be able to hold their own for a while. She may still challenge them when she grows up though, or she may take her frustrations out on her more docile peers. Conflict can happen between any chickens, even orps, but that doesn't put all combinations on equal footing. Where orp fights may be isolated one-off events, RIR's are more prone to consistent bullying behavior that may not resolve as easily.

I have a WYZE pan camera in the coop, and a Wansview Pan-Tilt 360 Outdoor camera in the run.

I went looking for the camas you mentioned as I had not thought that far ahead. I came across this review regarding Wyze brand camera. Not sure if the hacker problem would be a concern other then the fact you the owner will appear on the camera as you go about life in and around the coop /run. if its not an issue then there pricing is competitive to the other.

Wyze cameras are no longer widely recommended:
Due to repeated security breaches and privacy concerns, where users have been able to access the video feeds of other users, leading to significant data exposure and a lack of trust in the company's ability to protect user privacy effectively; this has resulted in major tech publications like CNET and Wirecutter pulling their recommendations for Wyze products.

• Poor response to issues:
  Critics argue that Wyze hasn't been adequately transparent or proactive in addressing security vulnerabilities and notifying affected users.

 

[K0k0shka]

I went looking for the camas you mentioned as I had not thought that far ahead. I came across this review regarding Wyze brand camera. Not sure if the hacker problem would be a concern other then the fact you the owner will appear on the camera as you go about life in and around the coop /run. if its not an issue then there pricing is competitive to the other.

Wyze cameras are no longer widely recommended:
Due to repeated security breaches and privacy concerns, where users have been able to access the video feeds of other users, leading to significant data exposure and a lack of trust in the company's ability to protect user privacy effectively; this has resulted in major tech publications like CNET and Wirecutter pulling their recommendations for Wyze products.

• Poor response to issues:
  Critics argue that Wyze hasn't been adequately transparent or proactive in addressing security vulnerabilities and notifying affected users.

Wow, I wasn't aware of that! Thanks for sharing. I'd certainly be throwing it out if it was in my home, but being that it's in the chicken coop, the security risk is quite low. Somebody potentially seeing my back while I collect eggs isn't very alarming (people see my back every time I leave the house). And the coop itself isn't locked or stocked with expensive things (except maybe a couple of eggs - ha!). But I will definitely not be using WYZE products anywhere inside my home after reading that. I'm not a fan of "smart" devices and cameras anyway.

 

[BigBird 2025]

Wow, I wasn't aware of that! Thanks for sharing. I'd certainly be throwing it out if it was in my home, but being that it's in the chicken coop, the security risk is quite low. Somebody potentially seeing my back while I collect eggs isn't very alarming (people see my back every time I leave the house). And the coop itself isn't locked or stocked with expensive things (except maybe a couple of eggs - ha!). But I will definitely not be using WYZE products anywhere inside my home after reading that. I'm not a fan of "smart" devices and cameras anyway.

Hi I agree with you 100% for the coop/ pen it should work ok. In the house not so much. I am not a fan of smart devices ether as I don't want somebody hacking into my stuff and playing games like raising and lowering the temp or opening my garage door. Just because they can. Im still waiting to here form the Zoning gods as to whether my permit application has been approved or if I just gave them 57.00 bucks. That would have been 6 dozen eggs I could have went out and purchased.

 

[Bawkbok]

Personally I would not worry about the breeds. You don't have enough for breed tendencies to mean much. If you had a lot of a specific breed you might see a tendency but with only one or two you don't know if they are average, high, or low on a specific trait.

If you read enough stories on here you can find stories where any breed was an absolute sweetheart or an absolute terror to other breeds or even there own breed. Any breed. For example



I can't remember what your facilities look like. One big factor in behaviors is how much room they have. Even after they are integrated the tighter they are housed the more likely you are to have behavior issues. Give them as much room as you realistically can.

They typically need even more room during integration. You have three immature pullets and two mature hens. No rooster. I have a lot more than that. What I'd expect is that the three new ones will form a separate flock and avoid the two older ones until they start to lay. They need enough room during the day and at night to avoid the older ones. Each situation is different. Yours might mingle a lot more than mine typically do. But then, they might not.

To me how much room you have, the personality of the individual chickens, and your integration techniques are much more important than breed. Good luck!

Thank you for your insight. They have 108 sq. ft in the large run and 25 sq ft in the small run - attached and open to each other. The plan is to double the run size but we haven't been able to make that happen yet.

During integration, I tend to spend a lot of time with the birds, not just to observe health and behavior of the new ones but to be available should I have to intervene in something nasty. Thus far, we've been blessed with positive integrations.

 

[Dragonlady1956]

I am brand new to BYC so I'm learning. I'm in central Florida. I am allowed 4 chickens per county ordinance. Do chickens need to be in pairs or can I have 4 different breeds together. so many cool breeds available and chicken math will only allow me to count up to 4 any thoughts experiences with this Thanks.

You must live in Indian River County like me

 

[BigBird 2025]

You must live in Indian River County like me

Hi
No, I’m over in Orange, during my initial research of BYC I came across a video of the OC board meeting where the proposel for BYC was first presented. The researchers collected info from neighboring municipalities to get a feel for what other authorities were doing. I personally wish I could have a larger flock and my set back regulations were not as great regarding side yard set backs and perhaps in the future this will change.

For the time being I’m still waiting to hear as to my pass/fail status on my permit.

On a separate note where did you purchase your girls. Tractor supply, private supplier. ??? Just wondering what options I have. Thanks and stay clucky.

 

[Bawkbok]

On a separate note where did you purchase your girls. Tractor supply, private supplier. ??? Just wondering what options I have.

It depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking in FL there are farmers who sell chicks, pullets or adults but do your research. Wanting to stay 'local' (within hours away), we went with 2 different FL farmers last year and all 5 birds between the two of them have perished - rather quickly post purchase. We have since gone with a national hatchery twice and have had good success there thus far. A local farmer will not refund your money and provides no guarantee like a hatchery does. I've never used TSC so I cannot speak to that but there are many folks who use them regularly.