Flock Management Question

[johnson215]

my hens all grew up together so they are use to each other and over the years i've added new ones and not had any problem. they always figure out the pecking order. as long as you take care of them and keep them very happy they seem to do good.

i also think it helps not to over crowd the coop. the more space the better. they can get out of each others way..

 

[cmom]

Quote:
X2

 

[sourland]

Pecking order, yes. Buddy system - only when they go swimming. Not really.

 

[so lucky]

My girl who is lowest on the pecking order has started hanging around with the top girl. Anywhere you find Gertie, Dovie will be within two feet of her. The outcome is that Dovie rarely gets picked on anymore. So it does seem to work itself out.

 

[Linn Bee]

Quote:
I kept mine in a couple of rainy days after they started laying so they would know where to lay their eggs. I think I may have one or two who don't lay in the coop and then perhaps they all do. I have 10 hens and am happy to get 8 eggs a day. Most days I do get 8, but the one day I accidently left the lights on all night I found 11 eggs all in the nesting boxes.

It is so cute to watch the 'ladies' primly walk to the coop from wherever the flock is ranging to lay an egg. Once done, each girl calls loudly to announce her achievement and the rooster races to her side and sweetly escorts her back to the rest of the flock.

LOVE it!

Love, Linn B (aka Smart Red) * * * Nesting with 5 Australorp and 5 Lt. Brahma hens plus 'The Count of Monte Cristo' - or Monte for short - one beautiful, well-behaved, hard-working, Australorp rooster, in south-est, central-est Wisconsin.