Buff Orpington Lead/Head / Alpha Hen?

[Bear4boo]

Our hens are 14 weeks old. All of them are a different breed and it is obvious that out Buff Orpington is the head hen. I heard that this breed is usually on the lower end of the pecking order. Just wondering if anyone else has an Orpington that is queen of the roost?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Our hens are 14 weeks old. All of them are a different breed and it is obvious that out Buff Orpington is the head hen. I heard that this breed is usually on the lower end of the pecking order. Just wondering if anyone else has an Orpington that is queen of the roost?

What a cutie!!!

Mine is near the top, but she's not the top. Any breed can be the top hen. It's more the individual. For example, my Silkies are supposed to be bottom of the pecking order, but they are not.

 

[Compton Chickens]

I had two Buffs… one was alpha and the other was second in command. One died and now the other (Easter) is now alpha.

 

[Bear4boo]

What a cutie!!!

Mine is near the top, but she's not the top. Any breed can be the top hen. It's more the individual. For example, my Silkies are supposed to be bottom of the pecking order, but they are not.

Right. Several of our chickens don’t fit the stereotypes of their breeds lol. I love watching how she acts when they go into the coop for the night: she always comes back out after the others are inside to do one finally check around the run to make sure everything is safe. It’s just so cute.

 

[Bear4boo]

I had two Buffs… one was alpha and the other was second in command. One died and now the other (Easter) is now alpha.

So the alpha that was second didn’t take the alpha place?

 

[Sussex19]

My Cuckoo Orpington is alpha, and also is rather hard to carry as she's got such a strong opinion!

 

[Compton Chickens]

So the alpha that was second didn’t take the alpha place?

No she did

 

[Bear4boo]

No she did

Sorry, I misunderstood.

 

[Stacaroni]

Mine are still trying to figure things out but the one and only BO is definitely in the upper levels. She and one EE are the smallest but she does not take any crap.

 

[DobieClose]

I have 6. My Light Brahma, Madam, is by far the Alpha. 2nd in command is my Buff Brahma, Brahama Mama. In the middle are my Black Austrolorp, Gnache, and Betty White, my Delaware. 2nd to last is my Buff Orpington, Leia (see Wino Chicken thread). Lastly, my sweet Barred Rock, Lacey, who sits with me or on me all day.