Finally saw the pecking order

[Kathleen1115]

There is so little competition for food and other stuff in our coop that I was having a hard time figuring out the pecking order. I had a pretty good idea that Blanche, our EE was on top and that Nugget, our Partridge Rock, was on the bottom, but otherwise it wasn't clear. The other night I forgot to close the hen house door and went out after "lights out" and saw them all lined up on their roost in what I've now figured out is their order.

1. Blanche the EE
2. Betty the BO
3. Sophia the GLW
4. Dorothy the BO
5. Red the RIR
6. Nugget the PR

I've been watching them since and it's pretty clear once you look for it. It's been very funny to watch how it plays out and who gets to do what to whom. The other thing I've noticed is that Blanche rarely has to assert herself -- it's just taken for granted that she gets whatever she wants -- but the others fight it out more. Sophia, in particular, is very bossy but only to those below her and stays clear of the two above her. Nugget has become pretty crafty and Red -- second to the bottom -- seems rather oblivious to the whole thing. Fascinating.

 

[Mrs. K]

Would you go down a couple of nights in a row? Cause, I often have to do a finale check after dark, and I have never been quite able to figure out the pecking order in the run. But every night, they are lined up differentely. Mine on on a ladder type roost. They go to the top two roosts, and there are 4 on each one, but never the same 4, or never the same order, SOMETIMES the roo is on the lower roost, but tonight he was on the top one.

I just wonder if yours line up the same night after night?

MrsK

 

[NYRIR]

I have wondered about my hens too...I know who the top 2 roos are...the hens I have no idea! But then again,I'd have to memorize all 26 in order....UGH!

How do people figure it out with that many! Kudos to the OP for figuring it out!