What I have observed when adding new birds is there is status attached to laying. As a hen comes into lay a lot of the random pecking stops & she has a stable place in the pecking order. My original lead ladies were the first to lay ~ so older & larger. My present leads are the oldest of my original girls.
Yes, laying increases status, imo.
 
I discovered this discussion the other day. I've been off BYC for a while, but we recently lost one of our first ladies and wanted to find some solace :hitI started at the beginning and am only on page 175. I need a few days off to catch up! Thank you BYBob. Reading about your special girls you lost made me realize crying over my little Rosie wasn't crazy.

I’m sorry to hear about your precious Rosie. I didn’t realise until I had chooks how much they flock their way into your heart. I lost three in two years, I felt like the worst chook-mum ever! This is a great group for support after a loss. :hugs (PS, the hug emoji is my favourite emoji ever!!)
 
@BY Bob how can you tell? I have been trying to learn from you and everyone on this thread but I still can’t figure out the order since I lost Scary.
She was definitely last. Biggest but kind of ‘slow’ and just followed everyone else. Since I am down to three they roost in a different order most nights. They throw the odd peck but only when getting in each other’s space ( eg sharing a cucumber). If I had to guess I would say Diana is top hen. But I am really not sure.

There was no pecking order when I had my three Isa Browns. That only became established when I introduced pullets of different breeds.
 
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They look pretty happy in their new surroundings!!
There was no pecking order when I had my three Isa Browns. That only became establish when I introduced pullets of different breeds.
That is fascinating. I know my girls tend to hang out in their breed groups, but the pecking order isn't necessarily one group over another group. It's still an individual personality sort of thing.
 

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