[SusieB]

Possibly a daft question. 

I have two ex-batts, and I am planning to get two Marans.  Would the new pair be happier if I get two of the same colour?

[Springlands]

Not such a daft question - maybe it is only my hens but the Welsummer and the Sussex hens mainly stick to their own groups with the banty hens joining in which ever group they feel like. This is only my own observation and I do not know if there is definite proof that this happens on a regular basis.

[ANHBUC]

I find that mine like to stay close to their own breed.  Even when I have introduced a new hen they seem to be drawn to their own.  I have even noticed young birds at the other side of a fence being drawn to their own despite being brooded by a different breed.  It may be that they have different temperaments and that is what the draw is.

[snow white]

my welsummer hangs with the rhode island red - so they are similar.  But my vorwerk and aracana are best buddys, one is small, white, very friendly quiet, calm and with funny headgear and the other is large, brown and black, very vocal and paranoid. 

[8doubles]

Bird of a feather flock together, that is natures way !
A hen of a different colour in a flock  always stands out as a target to predators and this is probably a genetic memory still present today !

[tosca100]

Hmmm...come to think of it, my two big girls are buddies, the two shumens too (though they are over a year old and came together) and the three legbar crosses keep together. They are all around each other but in groups, if you see what I mean.

Sevi the cockerel loves all his girls, but the two big ones especially!

[SusieB]

Thank you everybody. 

Great website.  Where else could you get different peoples' experiences of chicken psychology.

[joolz68]

My 2 white sussex hens stick together and white sussex cockrels favours and tends them the most he even goes with one while she lays ..not that my warrens need him or would be bothered if he croacked 

[SusieB]

I'm with the Warrens, who needs a man.