Titus the defender ....

[TwoChicks]

Yesterday I picked up 6 new chicks. 2 blue orps (only 1 is blue, the other is black or a VERY dark blue) and 4 salmon fav's. They must be bantams cause they were 6 weeks old (feathers suggest that age is probable) but less than half the size of my 8 week olds.

So, they got introduced to the "pack" yesterday afternoon and gave all the other chickens the cold shoulder while they scarfed chick food for 15 minutes. Then they drank, then they checked out the space. The big girls had to run over and check them out. My sweet sweet Dellie, Sookie, has sort of become their protector in that she ran off a brahma who wanted to peck at them.

Then, the little SF roo decided to stand up for his little mates by posturing, wing-flapping and neck stretching with my pushy buff brahma. It was the cutest thing, ahem ... I mean .... bravest thing! The brahma is one of the smaller chickens in my flock, but she was twice the size of the lil roo, who I've now named Titus (latin name associated with 'defender' and 'honorable').

And lil Titus does NOT back down. Finally, Buffy gets tired of it and backs down and goes away. Yay Titus!!!

They have an upside down milk crate as their escape when the bigger chickens get too pushy. I watched to make sure they knew what it was for and they figured it out in no time! Smart lil boogers.

So, hopefully I'll have some pictures to post tonight.

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Good story. I've never put two flocks together so haven't had that experience. Sounds like yours are doing well.

 

[4 luv of eggs]

It seems that sometimes the little ones have the most fire. My Idgie is the smallest chick but so far she has been the first to figure things out (escaping her brooder and then hollering to be rescued) and to try new things. It will be interesting to see who ends up dominant.

Titus sounds like quite a character. He's going to be so much fun to watch grow up.

 

[TwoChicks]

Quote:
Believe me, I was nervous leaving them in there. I had hoped they were going to be much closer in size. Bf's daughter just text and said they were all fine and not getting picked on other than the occasional pecking order skirmish.

I'm going to build them something a little more substantial to hide in other than the milk crate. I have a feeling these guys may move to my house and I'll have my bantam flock there, and the big girls at my bf's house.

Wow. How did this happen? Having to manage two flocks in two different locations.

 

[TwoChicks]

Quote:
Oh yeah, that's been the case with many of my various animals over the years. Lol. I'm actually happy to have a SF roo. They are simply stunning and I can't wait to see him mature. However, there may be a second SF roo, so I'm hoping they'll get along.

I'll have to legband Titus so I don't accidentally give my lil ball of fire away.