We have had our girls for only 4 days. We bought two 1yr old Austrolorps; Lucy and Ethel, and two 5mo old Barred Rocks, Thelma and Louise. They were separated by age in bigger groups at the farm we purchased them from.
So far Lucy has taken charge and Ethel is her right wing. Lucy is a hog chicken and wants all the food first (Not the chicken food just everything else) She will also roost on the lowest roost and keep the other three from roosting, forcing the Barreds into one nesting box together. This has happened the last two nights.
Yesterday at bedtime, Ethel stood in the pop hole and wouldn't let the Barreds in, and Lucy sat at the end of the ramp so the Barreds could not go back down. They eventually they hopped off and Lucy went in, the Barreds following about 20 mins after the other two.
Luck chases them around the run and they flee to the other side even if she is walking their way. She also pulls out their feathers.
We are trying to be social with them and hold them as often as we can.
Should we be worried or is this normal pecking order behavior?
So far Lucy has taken charge and Ethel is her right wing. Lucy is a hog chicken and wants all the food first (Not the chicken food just everything else) She will also roost on the lowest roost and keep the other three from roosting, forcing the Barreds into one nesting box together. This has happened the last two nights.
Yesterday at bedtime, Ethel stood in the pop hole and wouldn't let the Barreds in, and Lucy sat at the end of the ramp so the Barreds could not go back down. They eventually they hopped off and Lucy went in, the Barreds following about 20 mins after the other two.
Luck chases them around the run and they flee to the other side even if she is walking their way. She also pulls out their feathers.
We are trying to be social with them and hold them as often as we can.
Should we be worried or is this normal pecking order behavior?
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