Will I ever have one big happy flock??

[WhoDatChick]

I got my first flock of eight babies... 7 standard and 1 Silkie.. Spring of 2018... March 1st of this year I got three new standard babies... then March 29th I got 4 Cochin bantam babies for my Silkie to raise.. then May 3rd I got 3 EE babies. I have integrated the first 3.. then a few weeks later integrated mama and babies... the three EEs are in the “see no touch” section of the run still. What I want to know is.. will they ever be one family/flock? Right now the original eight are together... mama went back with her group.. the 3 stay only together in their group and the four Cochins stay in their own group... and for the most part they all stay very separated into their own groups.. especially the first three...? And now I’m guessing the three EEs are gonna be their own group.. how long does it take for them to all be one flock? Or will they ever?

 

[Roo5]

It can take days to weeks to months,depends a lot in the birds.And even then, once they get more social with one another they’ll likely separate and form different groups, or each age group will always have their separate little flocks within the whole flock, its just like high school.

 

[Ribh]

Shadrach would say like is attracted to like. Me, I think you need to define your terms/expectations a little better. If you mean by *one big happy flock* will they all potter along together with minimal jostling & pecking, I would say YES! If you mean will they all like each other & socialise with each other ~ probably not.
Just like people chickens have personal likes & dislikes & some chickens will never get along with each other. Others tend to be more distant. Some get on with anybody. Some of how your flock settles will depend on breed characteristics & then individual personalities.

As you know, I've just done an integration. My flock has settled really well & I am happy with how it is functioning. It is calm & peaceful but the pecking order is rigid. My Rocks are on top @ present & then the Australorps. The Rocks hang with the Rocks but are OK with the Australorps ~ they were my original flock. Those 4 are ok with the Favorelles [who are pretty calm & docile] but can get savage with the Campines if they consider they've stepped out of line. Everyone harries Lottie because she is tiny & the Campines get harried as well but aren't on the bottom ~ just the other chickens find them pushy. Lavender & Patricia are sort of outsiders but accepted overall. They are usually last to eat or get tid~bits. No~one is outright ostracized, but within the flock friendships are forming ~ usually like with like. Give it time. All will be well.

 

[WhoDatChick]

It can take days to weeks to months,depends a lot in the birds.And even then, once they get more social with one another they’ll likely separate and form different groups, or each age group will always have their separate little flocks within the whole flock, its just like high school.

Yes, definitely.... mean girls
Thank you!

 

[WhoDatChick]

Shadrach would say like is attracted to like. Me, I think you need to define your terms/expectations a little better. If you mean by *one big happy flock* will they all potter along together with minimal jostling & pecking, I would say YES! If you mean will they all like each other & socialise with each other ~ probably not.
Just like people chickens have personal likes & dislikes & some chickens will never get along with each other. Others tend to be more distant. Some get on with anybody. Some of how your flock settles will depend on breed characteristics & then individual personalities.

As you know, I've just done an integration. My flock has settled really well & I am happy with how it is functioning. It is calm & peaceful but the pecking order is rigid. My Rocks are on top @ present & then the Australorps. The Rocks hang with the Rocks but are OK with the Australorps ~ they were my original flock. Those 4 are ok with the Favorelles [who are pretty calm & docile] but can get savage with the Campines if they consider they've stepped out of line. Everyone harries Lottie because she is tiny & the Campines get harried as well but aren't on the bottom ~ just the other chickens find them pushy. Lavender & Patricia are sort of outsiders but accepted overall. They are usually last to eat or get tid~bits. No~one is outright ostracized, but within the flock friendships are forming ~ usually like with like. Give it time. All will be well.

I’d like.. pottering along together with minimal jostling and pecking .... things are a little smoother as time goes on for sure but they are still very separate.. I guess things can change when hormones kick in... oh no
I’ll try and be patient .... thanks friend

 

[Ribh]

I’d like.. pottering along together with minimal jostling and pecking .... things are a little smoother as time goes on for sure but they are still very separate.. I guess things can change when hormones kick in... oh no
I’ll try and be patient .... thanks friend

One thing I have personally noticed ~ don't know if it is a real thing or just me ~ is when a hen starts to lay she immediately gains status & is way more accepted by the older birds! That is a time & patience thing but I have noticed it each time one of my girls comes on the lay. Just before [because the hens always seem to know] it can get nasty but as soon as that hen's laying regularly she is totally accepted as a member of the flock. Weird, huh?

 

[WhoDatChick]

One thing I have personally noticed ~ don't know if it is a real thing or just me ~ is when a hen starts to lay she immediately gains status & is way more accepted by the older birds! That is a time & patience thing but I have noticed it each time one of my girls comes on the lay. Just before [because the hens always seem to know] it can get nasty but as soon as that hen's laying regularly she is totally accepted as a member of the flock. Weird, huh?

Yes! I feel I have noticed that myself.. that’s why I’m expecting things to shake up a bit when this happens... it’ll be interesting to see where each stands when all is said and done.. hopefully wing in wing.. singing in harmony .... I do firmly believe that Ruby will remain in her top position though.... she is something else! Did I ever tell you that whenever I am patting and hugging one of “her” gals too much.. she will peck me!!.... then I have to remind her who is REALLY in charge

 

[Henriettamom919]

Yes! I feel I have noticed that myself.. that’s why I’m expecting things to shake up a bit when this happens... it’ll be interesting to see where each stands when all is said and done.. hopefully wing in wing.. singing in harmony .... I do firmly believe that Ruby will remain in her top position though.... she is something else! Did I ever tell you that whenever I am patting and hugging one of “her” gals too much.. she will peck me!!.... then I have to remind her who is REALLY in charge

I have a girl named Ruby in my pullet flock and she's definitely vying for Alpha! When I hold Tiny Peep she flies up my back and tries to perch on my head

 

[WhoDatChick]

I have a girl named Ruby in my pullet flock and she's definitely vying for Alpha! When I hold Tiny Peep she flies up my back and tries to perch on my head

Is she a RIR?? ... they tend to be that way! But I love her... she is usually a very good and fair leader but I think she’s mad at me for bringing in the newbies and getting rid of her number 2... I think she would sic number 2 on everyone so she could bully without looking like the bad guy

 

[Henriettamom919]

Is she a RIR?? ... they tend to be that way! But I love her... she is usually a very good and fair leader but I think she’s mad at me for bringing in the newbies and getting rid of her number 2... I think she would sic number 2 on everyone so she could bully without looking like the bad guy

You KNOW she's an RIR!

Only my Americana, Puffy Peepers, really has a shot at taking Alpha from Miss Ruby and that's only because she can fluff her entire neck and head simultaneously

ETA- I have 3 big girl layers and my Buff Orp Henrietta was getting bullied but ever since the arrival of baby peepers last month there is peace in big girl land due to their unified betrayal and hatred of the littles