When Broody is also lowest in the pecking order...

[Rysktal]

I looove my mixed breeds that are growing up right now. My friend who I got the eggs from has lots of dual purpose breeds (barred rock, ameraucana, austrlorps, orpingtons...) so my chicks are such a neat variety. When I do my down sizing, I'll keep a mix of these guys and barred Plymouth rock. I haven't figure out the rooster situation yet, but a nice dual purpose bird would be great. I have my eye on one of my 5 week olds who looks like a pure lavender orpington (which is totally possible). I also have some barred rock cockerels and a bunch of other cockerels to choose from. Lots going on here right now.

One of my 5 week old pullets. She's going to be gorgeous! I know she's half australorp. She had a cockerel twin and his colouring is stunning.

This one as well, who also has a twin cockerel.

Thanks everyone for the input. I really have no idea how Tangerine (lowest hen) is going to do with her chicks, but we'll figure it out.

 

[SueT]

I like to call the mixes 'designer chickens.' Speaking of mixing breeds, one of the week's featured threads is about unusual combinations:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/whats-the-weirdest-mix-youve-had.1251059/

 

[Shadrach]

I like to call the mixes 'designer chickens.' Speaking of mixing breeds, one of the week's featured threads is about unusual combinations:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/whats-the-weirdest-mix-youve-had.1251059/

Once again I'll be in the minority, but I'm really against it.
Most of the behaviour problems I have here is through mixing breeds.
Some breeds just don't get on well with others.
I read posts about integration problems and I just have to pass them by.
Lots of posts about hens getting feather damage and half way down the thread you discover that the rooster is three times the weight of the hen!
It seems some people get chicken like they're buying pick and mix sweets.
Yes,many manage to keep them in a mixed bunch, but if I had a choice I would keep a isngle breed.

 

[Rysktal]

It's been getting much colder this last week and today is beautiful out so I thought it would be a good time to get Tangerine (broody mama who is lowest in the pecking order) and her chicks outside for the first time. She never showed any initiative to take them out herself so I just scooped the 4 of them up and put them outside.

At first, Tangerine went back inside and left her babies crying for her in their hidey spot. I brought her back outside...and she went back in. The third time I brought her out, I blocked the door. I also told her it's her job to take care of her babies, I'm not doing it for her. Haha!

Anyways, for the last 4 hours, Tangerine and her 3 chicks are outside, doing just fine. She's actually defending them when she needs to. I also noticed my rooster is guarding the chicks as well.

Alpha hen has no interest in the chicks which is awesome considering 2 weeks ago she tried to kill them.

Hopefully all keeps going smoothly, I was getting a little worried.

 

[Rysktal]

 

[PirateGirl]

I have not read all responses.

I have had a broody from the bottom of the pecking order, she actually went broody twice this summer. She got picked on. There were fights. I'd find feathers around. She'd have a bloodied comb. She never was in fights before but they became an almost daily occurrence.

I did not let her hatch and I broke her broodiness, so I'm not sure about the raising chicks part.

She is the only one of my chickens to ever go broody, so I'm not sure how it would have been if it had been one of the other girls.

 

[Shorty22366]

I let my brooches hatch regardless of pecking order spot. I have had 4 hatch 30 in last 2 months and I don't separate them from the rest of flock. My rooms help mommas help protect chicks. Give her a try if she doesn't act like she is going to protect them you will have too.