Hirearchy/ pecking order

[chantelbedlington]

I am trying to figure out the hierarchy/pecking order of my coop and having a very difficult time. I'm definitely the head hen, I go in the run and handle them every single day, and have done so since I had them in a brooder box. So they are very submissive when I am in the run, and I never notice aggressive behavior. My flock is about 6 months old, all hens.

These are the only standout behaviors I have noticed. I have an Americauna who is always the 1st one on the roosting board every night, and always the last to exit the coop in the mornings. I have a Wyandotte who is my biggest and fattest hen who is 2nd on the board and 2nd to leave the co-op. On the flip side. I have a Barrd Rock who is always last on the roosting board at night And 1st one to leave the coop in the morning, and my smallest youngest hen, a silver Orpington, who is always right behind her- 2nd on the board and 2nd to last to leave the coop. Then in the middle I have a buff Orpington and a second Americauna.

So in order of roasting: 1st to roost would be Americauna, 2nd Wyandotte, 3rd Americauna, 4th buff Orpington, 5th Silver Orpington, 6th Barr Rock. Leaving the co-op in the morning: starting with 6th and working backwards to 1st.

That's the only thing that is noticeable, and it never changes. It's the same everyday. So what does that mean?

I will say my 1st on the roost/last to leave the coop are my least friendly girls. They still let me hold them and run to me willingly for treats. But they don't tend to run right up to you and hop in your lap to be pet. The closer you get to the last on the roost 1st to leave the coop, become my most friendly/most lovable ladies, and therefore most handled by my children.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Likely the first roost and last to leave. The head pullet is probably not going to be as friendly, but she will get first dibbs of treats and food, she will also be the one that corrects behavior and keeps relative order within her flock.
The pecking order can subtly change from day to day, but for the most part, once a pullet has established herself as head, then she remains so until challenged and loses, is removed or if new birds come in and one dethrones her.
Now, it's possible once they mature, become hens at a year old and all come into lay, the order might change.

They are submissive to you because you are their caretaker, bringing food and treats.

 

[Mrs. K]

Really, not be able to pick out the pecking order is a good sign. It means they are comfortable where it is at.

 

[chantelbedlington]

Likely the first roost and last to leave. The head pullet is probably not going to be as friendly, but she will get first dibbs of treats and food, she will also be the one that corrects behavior and keeps relative order within her flock.
The pecking order can subtly change from day to day, but for the most part, once a pullet has established herself as head, then she remains so until challenged and loses, is removed or if new birds come in and one dethrones her.
Now, it's possible once they mature, become hens at a year old and all come into lay, the order might change.

They are submissive to you because you are their caretaker, bringing food and treats.

Correction. There about 8 months old. All laying except the two that are first in the coop and last out. I obviously know I'm not a hen, but we kind of believe the same thing about our dogs. We establish ourselves as leader of the pack early on.