Mean chicks???

[My3sonsss]

Dear Abby(Lol), I have about a dozen 8-10 week old chicks (all pullets) of various kinds. They've been together for most of that time. In that group I have 2 calico english orpingtons and they are mean and aggressive to all the other chicks. I've tried all the tricks i know to get them to stop to no avail. Is this just their personality? Everyone else gets along great. I'm seriously about to rehome them because they are just such jerks. In that pen are 2 easter eggers, 2 cochins, 2 polish, 3 silkies and the 2 orpingtons. Everyone is sweet as pie but them.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Are you 100% sure they are pullets? Might be that they are just dominant.

 

[My3sonsss]

Are you 100% sure they are pullets? Might be that they are just dominant.

Positive!

 

[50-45-1]

You dont say where or how you a keeping them but close confinement can cause or make this worse.
Give them more space and things to do and the picking may lessen or stop completely.

 

[aart]

They've been together for most of that time.

Most that time?
Meaning you added some of them after you got others?

Space might be the issue.
How big is the coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

 

[My3sonsss]

You dont say where or how you a keeping them but close confinement can cause or make this worse.
Give them more space and things to do and the picking may lessen or stop completely.

Hi! They are in my grow out pen, which is 4'x16'. I think thats plenty large, isnt it?

 

[My3sonsss]

Most that time?
Meaning you added some of them after you got others?

Space might be the issue.
How big is the coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

I got all of them within 1 week of age. My pen for them is 4 feet by 16 feet.

 

[aart]

I got all of them within 1 week of age. My pen for them is 4 feet by 16 feet.

Are them 'mean' Orps always been aggressive?
Is the pen just a run or is there a coop too....pics?

 

[50-45-1]

Some folks believe a flock of same breed chickens get along better with less conflict.
There will always be a pecking order though.
I dont believe orphingtons are overly aggresive, BUT....in my expierance most of the rest of your group are timid, easy going and targets for bullying. Silkies, polish and cochin always seem to end up low on the pecking order.
Easter Eggers should hold there own.
Try giving them more room and see if the picking lessens. If not maybe rehoming your orphs would be best for your flock.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Can we get pictures of the two birds in question, just to assure ourselves that they are, indeed, pullets? Thanks. Do you know how to post pics or do you need a little help?