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

[Miks]

So here is my issue. I have three Black Sex Links BSLs. They lay brown and brown speckled eggs. They are not friendly with my three new EEs. The BSLs rule because they were here first. I followed all the tips for blending them and gave them lots of time. Both flocks are always in different areas of the coop and the BSLs will run off my EEs (I sometimes think just for the fun of it). My EE was chased out of the nesting box about ten times, until finally, she was left alone. Then I was gifted my first green egg (she was so proud)! I’m over the moon excited! Here is my question... I keep a brown ceramic egg in each box. But the new egg was green. I looked it up and they can see in color - oh no!!! Should I get some green and blue ceramic eggs so the BSLs leave the new colorful eggs alone? I had a BSL that ate a brown egg before. Hence the ceramic eggs. It solved the problem immediately. But since they were so protective of the nesting boxes I started wondering about the egg color?

BTW... there were only two open nesting boxes before. They now have four (Total of six birds. 3 BSL & 3 EE). I also have two more temporary nesting boxes under the coop in the run area. Lots of interest, but no eggs in there yet.

Please share your experiences. I want to head this off instead of letting them get started. They are getting along a little bit better, but not pals, by any means. I read another thread that said it sometimes takes time. Maybe up to a year. That is what made me start worrying about them doing something to the odd looking eggs.

Please share your thoughts. You guys have so much knowledge for us amateurs!

 

[azygous]

Chickens are capable of molesting eggs, but I've never heard that the color of the eggs is in any way a trigger.

Chickens have issues with one another over their membership in a sub-flock, but it's pretty extreme to think they could have issue with another hen because of the color of her egg and then go after that specific egg out of mendacity.

Only humans are capable of that kind of irrational spite as far as I know.

 

[Miks]

Chickens are capable of molesting eggs, but I've never heard that the color of the eggs is in any way a trigger.

Chickens have issues with one another over their membership in a sub-flock, but it's pretty extreme to think they could have issue with another hen because of the color of her egg and then go after that specific egg out of mendacity.

Only humans are capable of that kind of irrational spite as far as I know.

Whew! Thank you! I started wondering if the new color would make them start pecking the egg because it looked so different from what they were accustomed to in the nest.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I've had my share of egg eaters in the past, but honestly they never really seemed to notice the different colors. Adding different colored ceramic eggs couldn't hurt, but I don't think it's an absolute must
You have a very pretty egg basket there by the way

 

[rosemarythyme]

The egg color shouldn't matter. I use white golf balls for my nest boxes but have no white egg layers.

As long as the BSLs aren't endlessly harassing the EEs, injuring them or stopping them from eating, then they're integrated enough. As the EEs get older and all begin laying, they should become a little better tolerated by the older birds but you'll likely find that most of them will continue to prefer being with their subflock.

 

[Miks]

I've had my share of egg eaters in the past, but honestly they never really seemed to notice the different colors. Adding different colored ceramic eggs couldn't hurt, but I don't think it's an absolute must
You have a very pretty egg basket there by the way

Thank you! Here is another picture of the basket. I looked for a wire one to no avail. But this looks cute on the counter. I put the eggs in in a specific order to make sure I use the oldest eggs first. It holds a lot of eggs. The BSL eggs are extra large in size. They laid six per week each, until this summer. The heat seems to have slowed the egg production. I found the basket at Hobby Lobby.

 

[Miks]

The egg color shouldn't matter. I use white golf balls for my nest boxes but have no white egg layers.

As long as the BSLs aren't endlessly harassing the EEs, injuring them or stopping them from eating, then they're integrated enough. As the EEs get older and all begin laying, they should become a little better tolerated by the older birds but you'll likely find that most of them will continue to prefer being with their subflock.

The egg color shouldn't matter. I use white golf balls for my nest boxes but have no white egg layers.

As long as the BSLs aren't endlessly harassing the EEs, injuring them or stopping them from eating, then they're integrated enough. As the EEs get older and all begin laying, they should become a little better tolerated by the older birds but you'll likely find that most of them will continue to prefer being with their subflock.

 

[Folly's place]

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

 

[Miks]

The BSLs aren’t hurting them nor pulling out feathers. But they seem to take delight with being in control. They were separated by a mesh for over a month. Once I removed it there was some chasing. They are both allowed to free range. But the EEs seem to prefer time with me and seldom stray from the coop. If I don’t pick them up they wait for an opportunity to hop on my arm or shoulder. I was initially stunned by the affection I receive from the BSLs but my EEs have far exceeded the affection of my BSLs. Can they be jealous of the new addition? My EEs crave my attention. Today was the first time they stood up to the BSLs. But clearly, one needed to lay her first egg!

 

[Folly's place]

If nobody's being injured or kept away from the feeders, etc, they are doing fine.
Mary