How can I determine the pecking order?

[ekd]

I’m still a very new chicken tender and I’m curious about pecking order. I have two age groups; four birds who are 14-15 weeks and two who are around 10 weeks. I’m integrating them at the moment and it’s clear that the little ones are beneath the big ones in their eyes. Two of the bigger ones will chase the littles, one in specific, and two ignore. I’m guessing those who chase are the lower ones on the pecking order? Or are they too young to have one established yet? Are there other ways to tell?

 

[thecatumbrella]

It's impossible. You'll think you have it down, then the next day someone decides they're done being at the bottom of the totem and it all changes again. But it is very fun to speculate! Things might settle down once everyone's laying and settled into a routine.

 

[BoundlessLove]

And even when they are older it can change.
For example, after a broody hen raises her chicks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They're all on the pecking order, but due to immaturity it's very fluid right now. Once they're all laying things should solidify a bit more, but even with mature hens the pecking order can and will change over time.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

You can get a general idea of who is the top chicken and who is on the bottom. However, aside from that the rest of the structure is fluid and does not have a clear appearance.

 

[Mrs. K]

If I walk away and throw out scratch, generally, kind of, sort of the most dominant will be the first to come, and least dominant will be the last to get there...kind of.

The truth of the matter is you don't want to know, the best flocks, the most peaceful flocks are the ones you can't tell.

Mrs K

 

[thecatumbrella]

The truth of the matter is you don't want to know, the best flocks, the most peaceful flocks are the ones you can't tell.

I want to print this out and post it in my coop for them to recite every morning. Very well said!