A couple months ago I picked up some barred rock and buff orpington pullets to breed with our roosters. They are around the same age, but the buff orpingtons seem to be growing quicker. They are all very active and love to chase each other around the stock tank. They stay out in the garage where I leave a space heater on at night, but on days above 40F I leave the door open so they can get some fresh air.
Both of these breeds are dual purpose and excellent for egg or meat production. They are also both classified as "heavy" breeds which reach a size of 7-8 pounds.
In the next few months, I will be able to start integrating them into the adult flock. Special care has to be taken when integrating younger birds because the adults (especially the roosters) can attack and kill the younger birds. Isolating the younger birds near the adults in a smaller pen will help them get used to seeing and interacting with each other.
you must take care of them
Is there a reason why the older birds would kill new and young birds? I am always why they do that, animals I mean. Is that because of rank?
anyways, I loved seeing the chooks. Nice big and fat! :D
Happy birds of you ask me.
Best wishes
xxx
Snekky
The older birds try to exert their dominance on the younger birds and being smaller and more fragile they are easy to injure. I try to make sure they are big enough to handle it before letting them out. Even mixing older and younger chicks can be a recipe for disaster. They have to become accepted into the flock or they will get chased off or eaten by predators. Thanks for stopping by @poeticsnake
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There is also "Power display" in chicken society?
Yes, the "pecking order" is a term that comes from chickens. Chickens will peck at each other to establish a hierarchy.
peck·ing or·der
ˈpekiNG ˌôrdər/
noun
a hierarchy of status seen among members of a group of people or animals, originally as observed among hens.
I wasn't familiar with this term. Pecking order! Thanks for this
Very interesting. If I ever move further from the city I want to do something similar.
the chicken kids are very good. their breed is different.
Nice post
Thanks for the update on your chikkies! I'm glad they are doing well.
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