Light Brahmas

[Alyse84]

Are Brahmas known to be aggressive? I was told they weren’t but my 4 are being really mean to my 4 Orpingtons. It’s been more than a month since they’ve been introduced. The Brahmas are maybe 3 or 4 weeks older than the Orpingtons and last night they were ganging up on one but I stopped it before it got too bad. I understand pecking order but I still can’t tell who is at the top. I’m at my end here

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

How old are they?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Age could be vital information. A lot of these problems are caused because some are more mature than others.

Are they all girls?

How much room do they have? What is the size of the coop in feet or meters? The size of the run in feet or meters? Photos might help. Where does this happen? Is there a specific time of day this happens?

You said it was all of the Brahmas. Is there one specific ring leader in starting the violence? That is often not the dominant one, often the lowest ranked.

The more we know of your circumstances and what you are working with the more likely we are to be able to help.

 

[Alyse84]

How old are they?

The Brahmas are almost 18 weeks old

 

[Alyse84]

Age could be vital information. A lot of these problems are caused because some are more mature than others.

Are they all girls?

How much room do they have? What is the size of the coop in feet or meters? The size of the run in feet or meters? Photos might help. Where does this happen? Is there a specific time of day this happens?

You said it was all of the Brahmas. Is there one specific ring leader in starting the violence? That is often not the dominant one, often the lowest ranked.

The more we know of your circumstances and what you are working with the more likely we are to be able to help.

The Brahmas are all girls, the Orpingtons are 2 male 2 female. I’m not sure if the exact measurements of the coop and run but it’s a good size plus they free range for a couple of hours twice a day. They get good light, plenty of food and water.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know what "good size" means. I've seen several posts on here where people say they have plenty of room when lack of room is the real problem. That's why I ask in feet or meters. Occasional free range doesn't really help much. Is room available when they need it? Does this happen when they free range?

It sounds like you have one of two situations. The older ones are bullying the younger ones. That's a privilege of being higher in the pecking order but usually isn't too bad as long as they have plenty of room. Still, it can happen if they do have room but that's usually just one or two, not all of them. Or the older girls are bullying the younger boys. It's as if they know the boys will eventually grow up and be the dominant flock master so they want to delay that as long as they can. Some of them can be especially brutal to the boys.

As long as no one is being actually injured I'd let them work it out. At some point, likely about the time they start to lay, the younger pullets will be accepted by the older girls. At some point the juvenile boys will mature enough to dominate the older girls. I don't know when that will be, I've had a cockerel as young as five months manage that. I've had one wait until he was 11 months old before he could get the hens to accept his dominance. Most of my cockerels are around 7 months when they mature enough. The personalities of the individual girls has a part to play in how that works out. Some girls accept that dominance much easier than others. Sometimes that transition in leadership is pretty easy, not much if any drama. But often it gets really messy and can be hard to watch.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes, please get the measurements of your coop and run and, if possible, some photos.

Here's a review of the basics on space needs -- which are *guidelines*, not hard and fast *rules*.

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

Additionally, how much "clutter" do you have? When chickens are arguing about dominance, the lower-ranked bird needs to demonstrate proper chicken manners by breaking line-of-sight to show submission. If your coop and run are just open rectangles they can't do that. This thread will be helpful to you: https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/21588571

 

[Alyse84]

Yes, please get the measurements of your coop and run and, if possible, some photos.

Here's a review of the basics on space needs -- which are *guidelines*, not hard and fast *rules*.

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

Additionally, how much "clutter" do you have? When chickens are arguing about dominance, the lower-ranked bird needs to demonstrate proper chicken manners by breaking line-of-sight to show submission. If your coop and run are just open rectangles they can't do that. This thread will be helpful to you: https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/21588571

My husband measured and turns out it’s lacking about 10 square feet in the run. I wasn’t aware of them needing to break line of sight. I will be sure to place hiding spots for them. Thanks for the tip!

 

[3KillerBs]

My husband measured and turns out it’s lacking about 10 square feet in the run. I wasn’t aware of them needing to break line of sight. I will be sure to place hiding spots for them. Thanks for the tip!

Glad to have been helpful.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My husband measured and turns out it’s lacking about 10 square feet in the run. I wasn’t aware of them needing to break line of sight. I will be sure to place hiding spots for them. Thanks for the tip!

Keep in mind the suggested minimums are just that, minimums. If you have birds that just want more space, adding another 10 sq ft isn't a magic bullet. Any possibility of expanding their run space a bit? It'll give the flock more breathing room and more importantly, give you more options and space to add clutter, as clutter does eat up some space.