Has anyone else noticed that certain breeds tend to rank higher or lower in their flock's pecking order? My flock is too small to make a solid theory but I have noticed that, whatever the age, my Buff Orpingtons tend to rank higher than my Partridge Rocks in the pecking order. I wonder if it is just a fluke or if other people have had similar experiences.
I have 11 birds from 2 different hatcheries. Five are 28 weeks old and from Cackle and six are 18 weeks old and from Ideal. I keep them all together in a large yard. I have Partridge Rocks and Buff Orpington hens of each age. I've spent a lot of time watching them and figuring out their pecking order and was surprised at the results:
The older birds are naturally at the top of the pecking order:
1. King Louis (BO rooster)
2. Esme (Barred Rock hen
3. Hilda (BR hen)
4. Lucy (BO hen)
5. Anne (PR hen)
The younger birds show a similar pattern, though:
6. Blue (Blue Cochin roo)
7. Daisy (White Cochin pullet)
8. Buttercup (BO pullet)
9. Jilly Bean (BO pullet)
10.Magrat (PR pullet)
11.Marie (pr pullet)
I have 11 birds from 2 different hatcheries. Five are 28 weeks old and from Cackle and six are 18 weeks old and from Ideal. I keep them all together in a large yard. I have Partridge Rocks and Buff Orpington hens of each age. I've spent a lot of time watching them and figuring out their pecking order and was surprised at the results:
The older birds are naturally at the top of the pecking order:
1. King Louis (BO rooster)
2. Esme (Barred Rock hen
3. Hilda (BR hen)
4. Lucy (BO hen)
5. Anne (PR hen)
The younger birds show a similar pattern, though:
6. Blue (Blue Cochin roo)
7. Daisy (White Cochin pullet)
8. Buttercup (BO pullet)
9. Jilly Bean (BO pullet)
10.Magrat (PR pullet)
11.Marie (pr pullet)