New EEs Started Laying Today! BSLs and EEs Are Not Buddies -Yet- Uh Oh!!!!

[Miks]

If you haven't already, separate feeders and waterers, apart from each other, and maybe another nest box slightly apart will help. Integration takes time, especially with younger birds.
Nice eggs!
Mary

I have added waterers and feeders to make sure everyone gets water and food throughout the day. The BSLs hopped in the coop and dumped the food in the extra feeder. The funny thing I noticed is the BSLs waste food just to kick it out (I built a no waste feeder for them). But the EEs don’t waste the food. If they aren’t eating, they don’t kick it out of the feeder just for fun. I’m surprised by their differences!

 

[Miks]

Yes Folly, that was my fear initially because they were so territorial. So I’ve added food and water everywhere possible! I wish they were better friends. I noticed they eventually left my EE alone after chasing her out so many times. I’m hopeful time will improve their relationships. I did notice that previously they just jumped on them. But now they evil eye each other. One usually just leaves (or runs)I’m hoping this is progress.

 

[Folly's place]

Social interactions! So interesting!
We have new chicks every year, and it's fun to watch. The newbies eat 'humble pie' for a while, and then gradually integrate into the group. Generally family groups (hatchmates) do stick together for a long time. They are family!
Mary

 

[Miks]

Social interactions! So interesting!
We have new chicks every year, and it's fun to watch. The newbies eat 'humble pie' for a while, and then gradually integrate into the group. Generally family groups (hatchmates) do stick together for a long time. They are family!
Mary

How many do you add each year? Is it because they stop laying? I’ve had the BSLs for about 17 months. They seemed so sweet but became bullies with the additions. I really took time introducing the two groups together. It seems like progress has been made. But not as swiftly as I had hoped. My EEs were very deliberate about standing their ground today in the coop nesting boxes. It paid off for one.

 

[Folly's place]

Why additions? Some die, some move elsewhere, and having a few youngsters keeps the flock balanced. This year I added more than usual, after having a devastating predator event this spring (my own dog!!).
The same rooster can't keep fathering his offspring for generations, for example. Breeding groups get renewed, and older hens quit producing, so no eggs from them.
If there's a problem bird, he or she leaves, one way or another.
Mary

 

[Miks]

Well now another of my pullets gave me the gift of a new egg. They were supposed to be Ameraucanas, but our friends here said they are likely EEs. All three have significant cheek puffs and beards. Two are red with black feathers and one is black and white with peach chest feathers coming in. While I was gifted a green egg Sunday, someone laid a very different egg today (middle egg in my picture). The brown speckled egg on the right is from our BSL. I’m not really sure what color the middle egg is

 

[aart]

They were supposed to be Ameraucanas, but our friends here said they are likely EEs. All three have significant cheek puffs and beards. Two are red with black feathers and one is black and white with peach chest feathers coming in. While I was gifted a green egg Sunday, someone laid a very different egg today (middle egg in my picture).

Your friends are correct...but posting pics of birds here could confirm it.

I like the gray eggs, probably blue shell.......open egg and immediately peel all white membranes from inside of shell to see shell color.

 

[Miks]

Why additions? Some die, some move elsewhere, and having a few youngsters keeps the flock balanced. This year I added more than usual, after having a devastating predator event this spring (my own dog!!).
The same rooster can't keep fathering his offspring for generations, for example. Breeding groups get renewed, and older hens quit producing, so no eggs from them.
If there's a problem bird, he or she leaves, one way or another.
Mary

These all sound like really compelling reasons to add new additions. I’m so sorry about the loss from your dog. I can only imagine how difficult that could have been.

I only have experience with my 3, year-old BSLs and now my 3 EEs. It’s taken months to attempt to integrate them. Hopefully it will improve soon.

 

[Miks]

Your friends are correct...but posting pics of birds here could confirm it.

I like the gray eggs, probably blue shell.......open egg and immediately peel all white membranes from inside of shell to see shell color.

Thank you. I will send some new pictures. My earlier posts on this site told me they were pullets and likely EEs. They are just the sweetest!
So what will removing the white membrane tell me? I thought egg color was only on the outside of the egg? Is it different on Ameraucanas?
Also, I didn’t realize that most breeds stop laying or slow down significantly after they turn two. No matter. I really enjoy having them around. But I won’t be able to keep more than 6.

 

[Folly's place]

Chicken eggs come in two colors, white and blue. That's the actual shell colors. and the tan/ brown/ green shades come from the 'bloom' overlying the shell.
I either have broody raised chicks out with the flock, or brooder chicks who move to their separate coop section by three weeks of age, with their heater. By five weeks, when they don't need extra heat, they start being allowed out with the flock, and integration is easy.
Flockmates are 'family' and will tend to stick together for a long time.
Mary