Us vs them orpingtons

[Pukkits]

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Hello chicken friends,
We got two batches of chicks this year, first six lavender then five chocolate orpingtons. We kept them separate, as the lavenders grew insanely fast. At about five weeks, we rehomed three lavender roosters and moved the three lavender pullets into a pen divided by mesh from the five chocolates. The lavenders were still bigger than the chocolates, in spite of being only a week apart in age. A few weeks later we moved them all to the coop.

Now: pullets are now 14 weeks ish. They are together in our coop with our two five year old hens. Our old barred rock is boss hen, our buff orp is her second. They don't bully, but all the pullets give way to them. The problem I'm facing is the chocolates bully the lavenders. Even with multiple resources for food and water, the chocolates keep herding the lavenders away. The lavenders as far as I can tell have zero self assurance to stand up for themselves. I've not seen any injuries, but I'm worried about the lavenders not getting enough resources.

I know they have to set their own pecking order, but it's driving me crazy to see the lavenders bullied all the time. I've though about building a second pen, removing chocolates and adding them back one at a time to try to reset the order, so they can't outnumber the lavenders. I'd hoped getting more docile orpingtons would reduce bullying issues, but the chocolates are more assertive than most orps I've met.

I'd appreciate suggestions, or just commiseration on the frustration of chicken social behaviors.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I don't know much but it seems to me that you effectively excluded the lavenders from the flock by keeping them separated from the others. The chocolates know that the lavenders are "outsiders". I would just leave them be and let them work it out at this point. Don't try to fix their social system! Just be sure the lavenders can get distance from the chocolates and have food and water. Maybe make 3 feed and drink stations. Free ranging is best if you can. The more area you have the better they will get along. Each chicken needs 10 feet of personal space to be truly happy. Good luck, try to relax and let them do what they do!

 

[Pukkits]

I don't know much but it seems to me that you effectively excluded the lavenders from the flock by keeping them separated from the others. The chocolates know that the lavenders are "outsiders". I would just leave them be and let them work it out at this point. Don't try to fix their social system! Just be sure the lavenders can get distance from the chocolates and have food and water. Maybe make 3 feed and drink stations. Free ranging is best if you can. The more area you have the better they will get along. Each chicken needs 10 feet of personal space to be truly happy. Good luck, try to relax and let them do what they do!

I guess I'm confused how I excluded the lavenders, as they were treated the same as the chocolates. I followed advice from BYC about introducing young birds to each other (not even outside in the coop yet, in a garage pen) by using mesh between groups. The funny part is I was trying to protect the chocolates because the lavenders were so much bigger. After removing mesh, they still refused to integrate, even before moving out to the coop. Now that they are the same size, the chocolates are assertive and the lavenders are still super mild. I'd just like some of the mild harassment to stop.

Space: birds each have 14sqft of outside, 4sqft inside in the secured coop. Outer run (less protected) has more space, but we are just letting the pullets get a little bigger before going out.

 

[RojoMarz]

I say that if there are multiple feeding/water stations, plenty of stuff in the run to hide behind and no one is bloody, then leave them be. They will figure it out sooner rather than later. If you continue to try to manage their behavior, it will only prolong the discord.