Orphingtons by the pair ?

[Irrintzina]

I want to add three new hens to my flock of three. I plan to raise them from chicks.

I have been told that if I want to add just one Orpington it will be picked on by the others.

Sooo.... my questions are:

Are Orps always at the bottom of the pecking order?

Is it best to have them in pairs?

 

[CCourson05]

I have some BIG buff orpingtons... I have three. They tend to rule the roost... There are only two hens above them.. The black monster(australorp) and my ameraucana...

 

[Nigellas]

Mine were always at the bottom

 

[donrae]

I have three BOs in with barred rocks, ee, leghorns, red hens. They hold their own! They're each solidly in the middle of the flock. If you raise them from chicks, I've found they get along fine, just the usual squabbling.

 

[Irrintzina]

Thank you all for the answers

 

[MTopPA_18707]

I have a mix of two week old chicks . . . 9 BA's and 4 BO's

The BA's are only 1 or 2 days older - but man they are bigger.

But the BO's push and shove just like everyone else . . . so while they are smaller they don't seem to be at a disadvantage.

The BO's have big chicken attitude too !

$0.02

Kevin