MJ's little flock

[BDutch]

Hopefully they're healthy and will get through their quarantine without annoying each other too much.

I hope do too MJ. They must be after all the bad luck this year !
So congrats with the 3 beautiful pullets.

 

[Shadrach]

https://brill.com/view/journals/beh/137/6/article-p705_3.xml

It looks like the brahma may be the top hen if the study above has a wide enough application.

 

[MaryJanet]

https://brill.com/view/journals/beh/137/6/article-p705_3.xml

It looks like the brahma may be the top hen if the study above has a wide enough application.

Interesting! Thanks Shad, much appreciated.

 

[LozzyR]

Sleepy little ones after a big day.

View attachment 4085484

They are adorable MJ.

 

[MaryJanet]

They are adorable MJ.

thank you Lozzy! Fingers crossed they're healthy and not carrying anything.

Bernadette the Marans is doing all the pecking so far, usually from her station at the water dispenser. I've added a second water dispenser because I was worried the other two might not be getting enough to drink!

 

[LozzyR]

I don't think there are many breed-behaviour rules that are always true. I've been told over and over and over that Rhode Island Reds and Wyandottes are unpleasant in mixed flocks. Today the man I visited told me he had never known his RIRs or his Wyandottes to be nasty towards other breeds.

I've noticed the next oldest hens do the most pecking regardless of their breed. And the ones who are older still rarely bother with pecking.

So I expect Melissa or Katie to handle most of the pecking when the new girls are out of quarantine.

But I don't think it would be the same in your flock, or anyone else's flock because every flock has its own dynamic.

As you've been saying, in your flock the Australorps are jealous and will pick on Brahmas if the Brahmas get more attention from humans. In my flock the senior Australorp doesn't bother with pecking.

When I had my Australorp Charlie, she was initially at the bottom of the pecking order, with two ISA Browns and a Barred Rock above her. She was number two at one point, and I’m trying to remember if there was any aggression. I remember some comb-pulling but it may not have been her being the aggressor.

 

[LozzyR]

My beautiful Charlie

 

[MaryJanet]

When I had my Australorp Charlie, she was initially at the bottom of the pecking order, with two ISA Browns and a Barred Rock above her. She was number two at one point, and I’m trying to remember if there was any aggression. I remember some comb-pulling but it may not have been her being the aggressor.

I did a quick web search for Australorp aggressiveness and found many articles that said they're not aggressive and none saying they are aggressive.

I still think each flock has its own dynamics and that age plays a role. It'll be interesting to see if the new Australorp does her share of pecking in a couple of years' time when, all being well, I'll do the next expansion.

 

[MaryJanet]

My beautiful Charlie


View attachment 4085920

Look at her sweet face and shiny feathers. What a darling.

 

[LozzyR]

Look at her sweet face and shiny feathers. What a darling.

She certainly was.