jubilee orpington.

[muckman]

Hi, I got myself a trio of jubilee's yesterday, I put them in the run when it was dark like iv read, went down this morning and the two hens were getting chased by the black rock, the cockrel was just walking around like he as been there for years.
Iv kept an eye on them and it seems they dont want to mix?
Or will the rooster get to grips with the hens and sort them out, i know there is going to be a pecking order.
Anyone had the same.
Any tips please. Thanx Muckman.

[Birdie Wife]

Hi Muckman,
It will take a little while, I would leave them to it unless there is really serious bullying going on (ie loss of blood ). Orpingtons are known as gentle giants, Black Rocks are quite feisty in comparison and despite the size difference it's likely the BRs will come out top of the pack. Don't know how the rooster will react, most people say they are good at keeping order but mine is useless! It took quite a while before my hens mixed together, even when they'd stopped chasing each other with malintent.

Don't worry too much, but if it looks like it's getting out of hand, try seperating the main bully(s) into a different place where they can still see the new arrivals, but aren't able to get to them. Something else I've heard that people have tried is to spray all the birds with a weak vineagar solution, which is supposed to make all the birds smell the same and decreases problems, but I haven't heard of anyone for whom this has actually worked. As a tip, I always clean out the coop just before introducing new birds and lay down new sawdust. Not sure if it makes a difference, but works on the same smell principle, and I haven't had any serious problems with bullies.

[muckman]

How long, if the bully(s) do start and after seperation do i let them all back together,.?
Its not bad at the mo just a bit of feather pulling and chasing.
But i hope the orpies will fight back a little bit.
The rooster seems well hard though.

[daisychook]

Hi Muckman,
We have a Buff Orpington, and she was the biggest cowardly custard ever, was chased by all the other witches, and was bullied. I had to move my Speckled Sussex (who was victimised by a Welsummer we had to rehome!) out of her way, because she was relentless, it all took about three weeks in total, and now they all live happily together.

Its a horrible time, but it does pass honest!!!

[muckman]

They are getting a lot better now and the orpies are getting to the corn i feed at night, they seem to be at the pen door first.
Hopefully they are getting on just fine

[kirsty b]

My ex-bats have started playing up. The first few weeks have been very cordial and friendly but now they have started scrapping. The battery hen website says its normal for them and to just leave them to it. (if any have blood drawn I will intervene though).
Nearly had a heart attack when I went down the run and saw feathers all over the place but a quick head count showed me that my girls are all still safe.
Glad your girls are all getting on better now muckman

[Birdie Wife]

Hi muckman, I'm glad your hens are all settling in now. It's all part of chicken's natural behaviour, and kirsty b - it's probably taken your ex-batts a little time to adjust to the fact that they can now express natural behaviour! A couple of weeks of separation for major bullies usually sorts them out.

[kirsty b]

I think you're right Birdie Wife. I've been letting them free range on the plot when I am there doing work and they love coming out. Not going to let them range when I'm not though, just in case Mr Fox fancies his chances again on a daylight raid. Have nearly decapitated a couple with the spade instead. They have discovered what worms are for now and keep getting in the way trying to catch more!

[Birdie Wife]

You paint a lovely picture in words Kirsty, your hens sound like they are really living their chickeny lives to the full! More power to your elbow.

[muckman]

My mate has some ex batt's and they couldn't walk for a week or two, to see them like that just makes you think! It bloody awfull to see what them hens go through.