Anyway to tell who is the dominant hen?

[6RandomBrownLayers]

IS there anyway to tell who is the dominant hen? Mine will change the order of which they go out usually the smallest one is a Speckled Sussex and the first one out changing with my Barred Rock who is the second biggest. They all kind of follow each other except for the Sussex who will go out by herself. Is there always a dominant hen?

 

[6RandomBrownLayers]

Anyone?

 

[Johnn]

There usually is a domanate hen, look for the one who never get chased away from food and things like that and which one pecks most hens

 

[Luciesbuddys]

sorry im no help i have ducks that really keep all the chicks in line. I have co-dominant ducks my 2 female Pekings are the queens they go everywhere and do everything together

 

[Fierlin1182]

My dominant hen usually makes nasty clucking noises and pecks the others during meal time.

Oh, and she's also the one who, when I walk up with the food, pushes right up to my feet and starts demanding noisily for food. Basically the one who acts like the queen.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Size doesn't matter. I have small hens that are above some of my largest hens. Look for the hen that eats first and pecks the others out of her way. Also, at roosting time - who gets their pick of roosting a roosting spot.

 

[centrarchid]

Dominant birds will hold tail at roughly a 45 degree angle with feathers more spread than average for flock. Hackles will also be held fuller giving the body a heavier look. Dominant birds will also produce a growling guk-guk-guk which usually results in lower ranging birds moving away. The pecking is usually a more aggressive posture. Subordinates make themselves evident by holding tail feathers tight and either horizontally or nearly vertically. Latter is when bird is alert to something external to flock.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Like this one. She IS the boss, make no mistake about it.

 

[Nonny]

My dominant girl would mount the others from time to time, and also steal food off them if they happened to dig up a tasty treat.

 

[poseygrace]

Mine is the one clucking at the other girls to go to bed when it's time to roost.