Am I top roo/hen? What does that mean?

[averytds]

I have 4 of 6 laying now. The top hen has been laying almost 6wks longer than anyone else. She's also bigger and definately the boss. No roos with them as of yet.

If I go to pet the 2 who are not laying yet, they crouch and sidle away. The 4 who are laying including the top hen, hunker down and do the full on squat until I stop. Does this make me the top roo/hen?

If so, is there some advantage to be gained?

 

[ashyannehand]

I am no expert but sounds like to me. This is the behavior my hens have with my roo. They huncker down when he comes around. Good luck!

 

[dancingbear]

I think it just makes you the big Not-A-Chicken that they are a bit wary of. I don't think they equate us with their own pecking order at all. Once in a while you get a roo that fixates on people as rivals, then you have to eat 'em or carry a broom everywhere to whack them with. But mostly, I think they just see us as "not-one-of-us".

 

[MonkeyZero]

LOL!!! When we had the 3 hens with th wild Roo, we had the same problem. If the roo isnt there, and I go up to the hens, they squat down. If the roo is there they squat to him and me. But when Im near the roo, I carry a shovel cause hed attack!!! But its mostly a dominance thing. Some people's roos also squat.

Also if your hen is about to lay, I've heard they squat too!

 

[averytds]

I found a benefit! If you want them back in the run and they don't want to stop ranging, now I can just go pick them up. No more "shoo, shoo" while I try to block all the escapes. LOL

 

[DDRanch]

Yes, you are the top roo in your flock. I have found when they squat, it is a good time to pick them up, do a general health check. Makes them easier to handle when you really need to. And I think they love the attention.

Anne