Rhode Island Red won't let the Buff Orpington in the hen house!

[Old West Chicken Lady]

My Rhode Island Red (Rhodie) won't let my Buff Orpington (Buffy) in the hen house in the evening. She will stand guard at the door and chase her away. Once Rhodie goes in to roost then Buffy sneaks in. Rhodie has just recently began doing this. It has been going on now for about two months. I don't know why. The have a very large run and free range during the day. Any ideas?

 

[WalnutTree]

My Rhode Island Red (Rhodie) won't let my Buff Orpington (Buffy) in the hen house in the evening. She will stand guard at the door and chase her away. Once Rhodie goes in to roost then Buffy sneaks in. Rhodie has just recently began doing this. It has been going on now for about two months. I don't know why. The have a very large run and free range during the day. Any ideas?

Hmm..If I was you, I would make two entree doors or widen the entree door. RIR's and BO's arent really the best to be housed together, as RIR's usually become too bossy for BO's, so in the future, maybe not have the same combination?

Anyway, I hope this helped!

 

[Old West Chicken Lady]

Hmm..If I was you, I would make two entree doors or widen the entree door. RIR's and BO's arent really the best to be housed together, as RIR's usually become too bossy for BO's, so in the future, maybe not have the same combination?

Anyway, I hope this helped!

Thank you for your input! They have been together for 3 years and it hasn't seemed to be a problem. They are older now and all of my older girls seem to be a bit cranky. I will give your idea a try.

 

[vantain]

I have two RIR and two BO, and do see the RIRs often tormenting the BOs. I mainly see it at the feeder, and on the roost at night. The RIRs don’t seem to want to roost next to the BOs. I have seen my RIRs drive them out of the coop when they want to lay their eggs. I agree though, two doors might help. I have two doors in my coop, but I shut one down for the winter. If I had your problem, I would use it.

Up till about a month ago, I had the second door open. When one of the pullets waschased out of the coop through one door, the would just run back in through the other one.

 

[Old West Chicken Lady]

Thank you for your reply! I too see it around the feeder at times. When I give the girls treats, my Buffy has learned to stand next to me to get her treat. Rhodie stays away. She has learned the word "NO". (Chickens are a lot smarter than what people think!)

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I have Buff Orpington's, but I don't have RIR's. So I don't know how they act with each other... but good luck with your hens!

 

[Old West Chicken Lady]

Thank you!

 

[SueT]

I had an RIR who was a terrible vicious bully to the other hens, especially to the gentle Buff Orpington. Many others on BYC have also reported that RIRs are aggressive. (tho I know the breed has its defenders) But I, for one, will never own another. We didn't have peace in the flock until the RIR was gone.

 

[Old West Chicken Lady]

I agree with you, no more RIR for me!

 

[vantain]

I wouldn’t say mine are bad, they are just near the top of the pecking order, whereas the Orpingtons are at the bottom. I also have two ISA Browns, and four Barred Rocks, one of which is a cockerel. The two ISAs are actually the top birds (they are also older), followed by the RIR, then the BR, and finally the BO. Though technically, one of my BR pullets is actually the bottom girl.

The RIRs are very friendly with me. They also know their place below the two ISAs, who definitely let them know who is boss...for now.

No one is getting hurt, only chased away from some things.