Chicken Hierarchy

[Sue E.]

New to chickens. I have two. Just posted my intro.

I've noticed that I seem to have an Alpha Chicken and a follower. It's just a sort of "I'll follow you, you lead," situation. No dominance or bullying. Is this a common thing with chickens? Does one sort of take over and rule the flock?

 

[BYCforlife]

Sometimes when you have no rooster, one hen takes over. One of yours may have done that.

 

[rjohns39]

Sometimes when you have no rooster, one hen takes over. One of yours may have done that.

X2

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

New to chickens. I have two. Just posted my intro.

I've noticed that I seem to have an Alpha Chicken and a follower. It's just a sort of "I'll follow you, you lead," situation. No dominance or bullying. Is this a common thing with chickens? Does one sort of take over and rule the flock?

It is the way of chickens. It's called the pecking order. There's always a top hen and bottom, in a bigger flock everyone in the middle has a place in the hierarchy. It is fluid and prone to changing. It wouldn't be impossible if one day the positions switch. It keeps fighting to a minimum, and keeps the flock cohesive.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!
Great story...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/me.1210196/
...have fun!