number of chikens and effect on group behavior

[picklespickles]

i just traded a chicken the other day and now am down to six. this seems to be the magic number for here. they get along better in a group with six. with seven, it seems like they find one to banish from the group. but with six, even though there are two seperate clicks, it seems like they tolerate each other better.

do you notice certain numbers that do better for you?

 

[joebwe25]

We had 4 and now 3.
They all where really pushy and then one died.

And now they all seem to get along!

hope that helps.

 

[V Chic Chick]

I have two, and there doesn't seem to be a pecking order at all. However, when I got a third, one of the original two bullied her a lot.

Also, when you have commercial flocks of thousands of birds, there isn't a pecking order, because they can't remember who's who and where they are in the pecking order!

 

[Wildsky]

I have 12. Started with 8 standard chicks... added 4 bantams about a month or so ago (the bantams are older - one's laying!!

)

Took them a while but they all get along, I'm happy to have added the rooster (bantam) he is the boss, and takes care of ALL the girls. He's a good boy - lets the girls get treats first etc....

Between my first 8 I couldn't REALLY tell who was the boss, but now for sure the bantams are, even the bantam hens don't put up with any silly antics.

But they all get on great, nobody is being picked on!

 

[Jillylam]

I definitley notice a difference. I have seven girls. When I have had to keep one out due injury the others get along better. Even if it's just for a few days the difference is very noticeable.

 

[picklespickles]

i wonder if there is some sort of societal balance that humans can't see.

as far as what other people keep on their land, i could obviously have tons more. but as far as their self regulating their behavior, they seem to have decided on six.

for stricly meat birds, obviously, i would keep a sepeerate area. though, knowing me, much larger than "necessary."