Do I have 1 flock or 2?

[PupsNHens]

Hi. Long time lurker, first time poster. I've learned a lot from this site!

I currently have a flock of 2, 2.5 year old Barred Rock hens, and added 7 chicks in April - 5 pullets and 2 cockerels. The blue Orp was straight run, so I knew there was a possibility, but the buff Orp was supposed to be a pullet. I ended up with one of the 10% that slip through.

What's interesting is how the boys have sorted out the girls. The buff hangs out with my two BR hens, and the blue with the pullets. I've never seen the blue even attempt to breed the hens, but he will defend his girls if the buff tries to breed them. The two groups even roost at opposite ends of the pen. So I was wondering, how likely is it that they will remain two flocks? They are all in the same pen, and they free range together part of the day, but tend to roam as two groups. I plan to get more chicks in the spring to help with the numbers, but I'm just curious about this apparent division of the flock into two smaller flocks.

Thanks

 

[21hens-incharge]

Not unusual for the older to be one group and the younger a second. The male had to go someplace as the other sounds more dominant.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Within a flock there are always sub flocks. I have multiple roosters and they all have their favorite batch of hens they follow. Sometimes the hens change out. Your roosters are still young, so things will change as they mature more.

 

[PupsNHens]

I agree the blue seems more dominant. He is more laid back and the pullet stay with him, whereas the buff stays with the hens. Do you think they will stay two separate groups? If I add more chicks in the spring, can I add them to a specific group or will that be up to whichever is dominant at that time?

 

[PupsNHens]

Within a flock there are always sub flocks. I have multiple roosters and they all have their favorite batch of hens they follow. Sometimes the hens change out. Your roosters are still young, so things will change as they mature more.

Ok, that makes sense. Sounds like I'll just have to wait and see Thanks