Do chickens know they are different?

[Savannah.Tucker]

Dumb question maybe... do chickens know they are a different breed than others? Mine are segregating themselves.....

 

[Abriana]

I think that they can tell. I have two black chickens the only black ones of the whole flock of 15 and they are always together and would probably notice if one went missing. Once, they were together and one ran over and pecked a baby chick for no reason while the other one waited over by the wood pile and the they ran off together like "ha ha!" It was so mean though, but they definitely know that they are different. Sorry, I got carried away lol!

 

[andreanar]

I believe there is a reason for the saying "birds of a feather, flock together". I watch my birds a lot and have noticed within each flock, they tend to stick together by breed.

 

[andreanar]

I think that they can tell. I have two black chickens the only black ones of the whole flock of 15 and they are always together and would probably notice if one went missing. Once, they were together and one ran over and pecked a baby chick for no reason while the other one waited over by the wood pile and the they ran off together like "ha ha!" It was so mean though, but they definitely know that they are different. Sorry, I got carried away lol!

 

[lazy gardener]

I have observed the same behavior in my flock, though not consistently. Often the barred or cuckoo patterned birds will sleep together on the perch. My roo has shown preference for non barred/cuckoo patterned birds. He likes the blacks, reds, and partridge girls.

 

[TheBirdLady2001]

My chickens definitely know! Lol! I have 3 different breeds, and ever since I bought them as days old, the different breeds seem to group together. They get along with all the other chickens, but the same colour chicks tend to follow each other more.

 

[barred2rock]

I have observed the same behavior in my flock, though not consistently. Often the barred or cuckoo patterned birds will sleep together on the perch. My roo has shown preference for non barred/cuckoo patterned birds. He likes the blacks, reds, and partridge girls.

barred lives matter!

 

[ChickNanny13]

They most certainly do, in my opinion. I've raised several different breeds, notice "birds of a feather do flock together". I've also noticed they pair up so now always keep an even number of chickens.

I've had 3 BLRW & 1 EE, the EE was always off on it's own
I've had 2 BLRW & 2 RIR, they paired off
I've had 3 Australorps & 3 Blue/Black Orpingtons, they kept to themselves & one was always a straggler
I've had 5 Blue Wynadottes, they got along pretty good although I noticed 1 was usually off on it's own

I now have 4 BOs & have noticed they pair up. I was offered 3 BLRW pullet chicks but turned them down due to the odd number.

 

[MIchickenlady]

Interesting question!
A couple years ago, we had 2 Easter Eggers, Tow Barred Rock, and two Buff Orpington.
They seemed to segregate themselves from the beginning, and actually ganged up on the Easter Eggers and took them out. I had no idea they would do that, but they did-first one, then a couple months later the other. We just found them dead when we went out in the morning. So strange. I don't know if that is typical, its just my experience.
This time around we got all the same breed.
Cute lil ones you have there

 

[lazy gardener]

I wonder if your EE were killed by a predator. Not usual for birds to actually kill each other unless they are over crowded, or there is something wrong with one.