chicken in charge

[aceintoledo]

I currently have three laying hens (1yr) in my coop, is it normal for one chicken to be in charge of the others? This one particular chicken seems to be the only one allowed to eat when I fill the feeder and will peck the others away from the food until she is done. She also in the evening, if I have them running in the yard, will enter the coop as it is getting dark and proceed to squawk until the other two are inside. If the others do not responde to her call she will go outside, locate them, squawk and return to the coop and repeat this until everyone is in for the night. The only thing that bothers me is when she appoints herself as the feed nazi, the others do get to eat but it's when she's done. Is all this normal behavior? Should I let her run her house as she sees fit? Sould be interesting when the 7 week olds move in!

 

[Red Barn Farms]

Isn't that called pecking order? I have one like this. She's the largest one in the flock of 14 and she always makes sure she gets first pickings! When night comes she also gets her favorite spot to roost too!

 

[Red Barn Farms]

I forgot to add she's a 7 week old buff orpington. All ours are 5-7 week old young girls.

 

[catcat]

I have 3 EEs and 3 production hens of which the largest is the unquestioned boss. She's a relatively sweet dictator though.

 

[Spartan]

I have three young Barred Rocked pullets of slightly varying age...

The largest runs the show, the smallest gets picked (pecked) on, and the middle one seems to be the largest girls enforcer. She does most of the 'disciplining' of the smallest one whilst still following the big one around like a lackey...

 

[theoldchick]

Yes, you will have a boss hen. I have one I call the Drill Sergeant of the Nest Boxes.

 

[Coop de Grille]

LOL We have one hen that we call the Nest box Nazi. She doesn't allow any of the younger chicks to even LOOK at the nest boxes. If they try to perch on the edge she will peck them til they move.

 

[Nsampsel]

I have a pair of top hens. Both are a good bit older than my other chicks (they are laying & the others are not). They are NOT, however, the largest hens. They are bantums & I have at least 4 layer hybrids that are bigger already. Even some of my chicks that are 3-4 weeks behind those 4 are bigger than the smaller of the 2 banty hens. However, these 2 came with a banty roo who is their keeper. If 1 of my younger birds gets out of line all 3 of them gang up on the offender until it runs for cover. I'm not especially fond of this behavior as sometimes they pull feathers & such, so have been considering setting these 3 up in their own small breeding pen. The roo appears to be a Black Copper Marans (tho the lady I got him from thot he was an OEGB). Tempted to try to hatch some of their eggs just to see what I get