so interesting to me...

[tyjaco]

I think it's fascinating that my "chicks" segratgate themselves, in a manner of speaking.

I have 4 different breeds - a couple of each, and in the brooder box, the Ameraucanas stay together, the RIRs stay together, the Barred Rocks stay together - they all seem to sit with their "own", if you will.

Do you find that as well??

 

[CarolJ]

It might be because they were together before you got them. Brooder-mates seem to stick together - regardless of the breeds. If you got them from a breeder or a hatchery, they likely had each breed separate until they put together your order.

I had 4 araucanas, 2 easter eggers, a welsummer and a leghorn that I brooded together. And they still stick together - even in a larger flock of 23 birds.

 

[tyjaco]

OH...I see - I got them from a feed store, but you are right.

Each breed was in a different "section", Then I put them all together when I got them home...

so that's why??

 

[Apyl]

I only see that with my silkies and ducks. My silkies kinda stay to themselves but they do mingle with the others at times. My ducklings stay in their group for the most part but when I have treats everyone comes running together. My RIR's, Barred Rocks, Cochin, EE, Blue andalusian, Silver lakenvelder, Ancona, and misc other chics all migle here and there and dont really form groups.

 

[Fierlin1182]

I'd imagine they tend to "bond" if they're hatched together, or put together when they're very young. Chickens are always more comfortable around things familiar to them.

As for the ducks, I think they were just friends because the chickens used to bully the heck out of the poor things, so they stuck together. Turned out to be a boy and a girl though, so that was pretty cute.

 

[tyjaco]

They've been together since 3 days old. so I would think by now they'd all be very familiar.
They mingle all day, but when it comes time to roost - they like they're own "type"