Integration Behavior Influenced by Proximity of Broody Hen

[centrarchid]

I just combined a group of 14 birds representing a brood of seven 3-week old chicks (American Games), three 8-week old American Dominiques, three Missouri Dominiques all about 4-weeks old and from different broods, and one American Game cockerel that is about 8-weeks old and being a butt munch. The cockerel is having particular issue with the chicks. Placed the mother of the chicks in a pen right up next to the much larger pen holding the immature birds. A major change on behaviors ensued. Will report on that later.

 

[centrarchid]

Images below shows some of dynamic going on. To right of feeder is group of American Game chicks (Little Edgars) and to left is the American Game Cockerel (Little Rollo).

The Little Rollo is getting a drink while the Little Edgars are concentrated in corner near their mother. A couple are pecking at feed.

Little Rollo threatened Little Edgars so they retreat to corner.

Little Rollo has backed away and Little Edgars move more to feeder.

Most of the time the Little Rollo picks on the Little Edgars although every once in a while a Little Edgar will launch itself at the Little Rollo or even the larger American Dominiques for a brief sortie before retreating to group. Smaller chicks attacking involved them literally hanging with their beak from the neck or head of the larger bird. Juveniles attacking chicks involves simple pecking and sometimes flogging.


Most of the aggression by juveniles appears to occur when the hen to right directs warning calls at a juvenile approaching her chicks (Little Edgars). Half siblings to these chicks earlier in season by same father are also on the more combative side. They mature into very gentle juveniles and adults.

 

[centrarchid]

It looks like a see saw most of the day with foes moving back and forth. The Little Edgars do get water when the Rollo kid is about 6 feet away on other side of pen.


Everyone is elevated up and combined in part to deal with a Black Rat Snake I am trying to catch. It is big enough to potentially consume even the Little Rollo.