are Roosters always on the top of the pecking order?

[sheeshshe]

or can a hen be on top of the pecking order and a rooster be more on the bottom?

 

[gritsar]

If you introduce a young cockerel to an existing flock of older hens, he can indeed be on the bottom for awhile. The hens can really give him a bad time. Once he finds his courage and puts the hens in their place, he moves right on up to the top slot.
If you have more than one roo, one would be the alpha and the other(s) could be very low on the pecking order.

 

[sheeshshe]

so I have a rooster so I "think" but this is like one of the least aggressive of the bunch. The top of the pecking order is my female cinnamon queen. she's the top dog. do you think that "he" will become the top of the pecking order when he's more mature? they are only 7 weeks now. He's a buff orpington... perhaps thats why he's shy? but my other BO is a female I believe and she's 2nd up in the pecking order LOL! chickens are confusing..

I guess what I want to know is that if in fact he really is a rooster (which I assume from his appearance) will he end up eventually being on top of the pecking order?

 

[gritsar]

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Yep.

 

[sheeshshe]

thats funny... I can NOT picture this guy being the boss of anyone LOL! he's a true lap chicken....

 

[gritsar]

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Just wait until his hormones kick in. Then it'll be testosterone poisoning.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Our roosters were bantams and the standard hens were at the top. The roos would try to dance around the hens and the hens had none of it. They would also only mate when the hen felt like it.

If she wasn't ready, she'd let the banty roos know.

 

[maf2008]

I have two white leghorn roos that are #1 and #2.... BUT I want the RIR to be the "breeder" How can I get him to be the alpha?

I was going to remove #1 and #2 to another pen and see if he will become master of the flock. Will he "take over" and begin breeding soon? All of the roos are about 16/17 weeks old and there is no fighting among them. The hens like him, but if he attempts to mount one they dismiss him but mate with the leghorns. All advice appreciated.

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[gritsar]

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When I re-homed my former alpha my subordinate roo stepped up to the plate real quick, but the girls were having none of it for awhile. They finally realized it was him or nobody, so they finally accepted his leadership.