swindon6 Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 Hi We have just bought 2 Lavender Orpingtons (my 10 year olds fell in love with them) and we also have 2 ex battery chickens, silver lace and a cream legbar. The latter are all getting on but the orpingtons stand guard over the food and just push the others away. I understood that we should have similar sized chickens but we were assured because they were gentle giants that they would work ok with the other chickens. We have only had them for one day but because they are on sentry duty and using their muscle we have not put them to roost together and we are now wondering if time will fix the bullish behaviour or whether due to the size difference in the birds they are incompatible and we either need to separate them or find them different homes. Would it be possible to advise us? You can imagine that the girls are already in love with them because they are real characters, but we need to do the right thing for the other 4 as well. Thank you for your help. Nicola Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 Welcome to the forum. I have moved your post here as it will get more viewings, and hopefully more replies. Maybe you could put out more food and drink stations. They can't man them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 Welcome Are they all living together? What ages are they? How did you manage the introductions of the 2 new girls? Lots of threads about the latter on here. Orps are/can be greedy so and sos but they are rarely vicious. I'd put out more feeding/drinking stations as Egluntine says - they can't be everywhere and I suspect if the orps feel their beaky needs are being met they will be a lot more laid back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
