flock behavior..

[jtakacs]

Brand new flock... and new to chickens.

We brought two golden sex link pullets home yesterday. They were skittish but generally looked like happy chickens walking around the run eating, scratching, etc.

We brought home a auracana and a black and white polka dotted one (something rock). Both are 2-3 years old.

The rock quickly asserted her place in the pecking order and now the links will barely leave the coop and climb in an empty nest box together.

Normal? Should I be worried about anything? They have food and water in the coop and appear to be eating.

Just don't want scarred hens! I'm assuming as they grow the order my change but right now there is definitely a head chicken.

The auracana has the sweetest disposition and will crouch when you approach her so you can pick her up.

The links don't want to be near us at the moment.. which makes sense I guess

 

[RanchGirl13]

It might be a little odd since you had younger ones and then bought older ones but try moving the food out side in nice weather and try to handle them more and just keep an eye on them and try to spread scratch around outside and if you see the barred rock pick on them just move her away from them barred rocks do tend to try to be the top dog I have a flock of 38 chickens and 8 turkeys I have an assortmant of barred rocks, buffed orpingtons, silver laced wyandottes and golden laced wyandottes and australorps and americuanas

 

[Smithyard Farm]

I wouldn't worry about them. It takes awhile from new chicks to get to know each other. Just make sure you have food and water available to the less aggressive ones.

 

[jtakacs]

I have a small coop but will make sure I have food and water available to the pups...

I've noticed the four girls have paired up. Only two will be in the run at any given time. The old girls will enter the coop and the pullets leave...

Its a little society! Complete with clicks.

The auracana is unlike any bird I've seen. Zero fear of a human. She's just "Chill"

Hope all my girls get like that. They were clearly treated well...

 

[donrae]

They just met, give them time. You may always have two separate groups since they were raised together.

 

[jtakacs]

That's fine... at This point its a little better but as I type this the old one is barking at the pullets and keeping them from entering the coop.

They'll figure it out.

 

[jtakacs]

They just forced their way in (she guards the door) and she squawked and pecked for 60 sec but now its quiet.

My only concern is they sleep on the floor... there's two roosts and she occupies the bottom one not allowing anyone else on the.

The other old one has taken to the nest to sleep... hopefully its just week 1 in this deal and they'll adjust

 

[aart]

Offer several places to eat and drink.
Put the nest sleeper on the roost after dark.

The croucher is squatting for her rooster.

Chicken society offers never ending amusement...and sometimes horror.

 

[jtakacs]

I agree... getting another feeder tomorrow.

My kids put the girls to sleep tonight (I had to work). Apparently the fat/aggressive one flew up to the high roost (where I want her. . Leaves the lower roost available)

We'll see.. "stoopid" chickens.