Do chickens have a dominant?

[SkyStorm]

In the flock, is there one dominant chicken (even just with hens). I am wondering this because when my flock is grown will there be fights over leadership? or not?

I am so new to chickens.

 

[Stevo]

I am new too this also Sky. My chicks are 2 weeks old. There is definetly a leader. I call her Hazel. She was the first to find the water and feed. She sleeps were she wants. And just walks around with a "Just mess with me" attitude.

 

[SummerChick]

When i got hens..i first got 5 who were raised together...had no problems until i got 6 more from somewhere else...OMG!!...what a pain...the first batch were so mean to the new ones...wouldnt let them eat or go outside...i had watch over the new and constantly make them let the others eat...then i went and got 3 more...lol...more problems but after a couple weeks everyone has settled mostly and seems there are more dominant hens than others...its hard to tell if there is only one in my flock who is more dominant but the first 5 are at the top for now. I am just glad they have toned down and gave the others their space.
They are quite fun to watch.

 

[SkyStorm]

I am wondering mainly because my tiny ones already seem to have a leader. I call her Firoz because she follows me everywere I go, then the rest follow her. She also stand right near me and the rest kind of back off, like she owns me

Thanks for the information guys!

 

[iajewel]

Why do you think they call it a pecking order.. .. yes.. they do..

 

[SkyStorm]

hahahaha yah I guess so

 

[SurprisingWoman]

My husband and I were watching our 5 girls that are about 10 months old now just this evening discussing this.

I can tell you in order of rank who is dominant from high to low.

It's like high school all over again.

 

[gritsar]

Yep, chickens have a pecking order with one being dominant (the alpha), the rest in the middle and one being the lowest ranking member. This pecking order starts when they are very young (by about 6 weeks) and doesn't change unless there are additions or removals from the flock. Rarely, in a settled flock, there will be a change in hierachy.
If you have a roo, he will almost always be the alpha, then the lower ranking roos, then the hens. Hens will automatically acknowledge a roo they have been raised with as the leader, but can give younger or subordinate roos a very bad time.
When you introduce new birds they have to start at the bottom of the pecking order. Some will not be content to stay at the bottom and will fight for position. While they are fighting, the other newbies will just quietly slip into a spot.

 

[dumb_cluck]

If there is no roo, one of the hens will take charge. Even fend off intruders to the flock. It's normal and part of natural selection. Just like in high school : bullies, mid-range (don't cares) and total pacifists.

Introducing new members to the flock starts the whole process to start again. Be careful !