How's the bachelor flock working out?
I have a 6 man bachelor flock and I think having 2 each of 3 different breeds is adding some drama. The Ameraucanas are definitely the lowest in the pecking order and my Brahmas are in the middle but like to throw their weight around against the Ameraucana's. I was wondering if they were all the same breed (ie: similar in temperament) if there'd be less drama?
Too early yet to make a call. Poppy is much older at 22-23 wks compared to everyone else in the teens so he's on top. He came from the Marans coop so he grew up with them, so that day went pretty easy. A little chasing but those 9 younger ones already had their order established so Poppy just re inserted himself as dominant.
Yesterday was the chaos when I put the 2 boys from the mix flock in, but it eventually settled down and when I let them out to free range, Poppy actually went with those 2, which I thought odd, maybe because they are new, and look different especially the SLW boy.
So this is my first time with different breeds together and throwing 2 in from a different coop as my last bachelor set up was all 7 BCM boys that grew up together so we can see what kind of dynamics happen over the next few weeks. The last 7 there was 1 that was super aggressive all the time and when I eliminated him things settled down. I'm curious to see how this group does now. Tho, keeping in mind the hens and pullets are in ear and eye sight so that changes their behavior of course.
But to your question? It seems to me like it's more growing up together than breeds, that the order is already established no matter what breed is involved. But to experiment with that theory I would think a much more controlled scene would be needed especially away from the females which is their main trigger. I just don't have the space to do that setup.
But they do definitely keep together in their own little separate clicks especially when out free ranging. Marans, Olives, and Mix are the 3 groups. Poppy has always been kind of an outcast with only Solo his hatch pullet to hang with, so it's interesting to see who he starts to run with if anybody, but I'm also watching his attitude ....he's always been a chill dude so we'll get to see how he reacts to being in charge all of a sudden and not under Kongs rule.
It's also worth noting, I'm pretty new to this but that order should be changing here pretty regularly with culls happening with the first 5 going here in a few wks, and then constant selections happening as I decide who I'm keeping.
5 of the boys are the same age, just 1 Swedish Flower Hen is a month or so older than the others.
