How do I figure out the pecking order?

[tlb625]

I do watch them - that's my problem. I spend hours out there. None of them are any bossier than the rest. I swear I have the laziest chickens! The majority of their day is spent lying around together, rolling around in the dust box together, aimlessly wandering around and scratching through the litter (together), hanging out of the perch (together) - you get the idea. I had squabbles for one day when I switched them to a bucket feeder, and then after that they were peaceful. I spent a week making note of who ate first in the morning and it's different every day. They honestly don't peck or bully each other - even for treats.

I know there IS a pecking order. They're chickens, after all. And I know buff orpingtons are supposed to be calm and accept captivity really well (mine don't free range). But these guys are almost too laid back - like, chilling on the beach with a margarita kind of chill.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not complaining. I've read the threads about bullying and saw the pics of poor chickens with bloody heads from aggressive flock mates. Thankfully I don't have ANY of those kinds of problems (lucked out in that regard). I'd just kind of feel like since I'm the one in charge, I should know what's going on out there.

Anyway - thanks for the help. It's not a big deal - I'm just trying to learn how to read my chickens. So far all I've got is that I'm the uptight one and they think I need to relax, lol!

are you gonna try to add more birds? ? ?

 

[6of6chicks]

Deleted 7/24/2014.

 

[birdlady79]

No, I'm not. I didn't really know how to take that suggestion, but I felt a little like I was just being laughed at.

I guess to the experienced folks asking about pecking order sound like a stupid question, but I was honestly asking for help. Four of my six birds are healthy & strong, but I've got two others that seem chronically sick. One has been in sick bay for a while and I'm getting ready to put her back out there. It would have really helped me to figure out who the dominant birds are so I could better keep an eye on things - before they start pecking her (if at all). It would also just be nice to be able to read my birds better. I genuinely enjoy them, but they are a complete mystery to me.

But I'm not going to toss a new chicken in there just so I can see who beats her up, lol! And I've got enough problems with my two sick chicks to go looking for new ones.

Trust me no question is a stupid question..... I had to laugh at throwing 2 new ones in bc if you ever do, you really do know who is on top and who is on bottom....

I'm sorry your 2 are sickly, I've dealt with Heath issue in my flock as well, it's never fun..... The 2 that are sick could be at the bottom of order, but that's not always true....

Have you wormed them? What are their symptoms? What kind of feed are you using? How old are they?

 

[RonP]

No, I was not making fun of you.

As birdlady79 said, this is when you upset the pecking order most.

I add 2 or three pullets each year to keep my eggs coming.

I do not cull the older ones...pets.

All heck breaks out ...for 3 weeks...

 

[6of6chicks]

Deleted 7/24/2014.

 

[tlb625]

No, I'm not. I didn't really know how to take that suggestion, but I felt a little like I was just being laughed at.

I guess to the experienced folks asking about pecking order sound like a stupid question, but I was honestly asking for help. Four of my six birds are healthy & strong, but I've got two others that seem chronically sick. One has been in sick bay for a while and I'm getting ready to put her back out there. It would have really helped me to figure out who the dominant birds are so I could better keep an eye on things - before they start pecking her (if at all). It would also just be nice to be able to read my birds better. I genuinely enjoy them, but they are a complete mystery to me.

But I'm not going to toss a new chicken in there just so I can see who beats her up, lol! And I've got enough problems with my two sick chicks to go looking for new ones.

oh ok that's funny lol good luck with your baby chicks.don't feel bad I have five baby chicks to introduce to a hen when i come back from vacation lol my sister is taking care of the tiny chicks lol.

 

[birdlady79]

Oh, my two sick ones are turning into a long saga. I just don't know what to do for them anymore. One got coccidiosis and was treated with Corid, then returned to the flock when she seemed fine. Two weeks later there was blood in the coop again (most likely it was her) so everyone got wormed. Everyone seemed fine, and then today that same chick (who has been gaining weight & seemed healthy) is fluffed up again and refusing food & water. The OTHER sick one first got a limp, then bloody poo while in the dog crate (brand new crate). She was accidentally overdosed with aspirin (misleading article in the learning center), then wormed with the others, then treated with Corid. She's off the Corid now and pooping normally, but still limping. It just feels like with these two it is constantly something - they get sick, they get better, then get sick again. It's very stressful!

The other four, on the other hand, are completely healthy. None of them have ever shown the slightest bit of illness or injury. They've been dosed with Corid and wormed as well, but only because of the two sick ones.

Here's the links with all their info if you're interested. Sorry if I sound so defeated when I talk about them. I'm just worn down by the stress of constantly sick chickens!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-about-my-flock-neighbors-diseases-my-problem
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/905932/okay-to-give-aspirin-to-9-week-old-chick#post_13782091
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/903621/coccidosis-sour-crop-please-someone-help

OMG!! Poor thang, just when I thought I had problems in my flock, I read your story and now I'm feeling grateful but sorry for you!! I dealt w cocci at first.. I started out w pine shavings and finally after rounds of it I changed to sand.... I know everyone's methods are diff but sand works for me....
I know how you are feeling, worry, worry, worry, and then think why is this so hard? It's suppose to be enjoyable!! You love your girls and just want them to be healthy and happy....

My journey started out a nightmare too... I still have issues sometimes...but I started using Super Vitamin B In water and now using Floragen3 probotics on food daily.... Helps keep immune system up and gut healthy....

As far as pecking order goes your lucky you have no drama....Stess can do bad things.... The top hen in my flock is a complainer, you can hear her miles away.... Are any of yours loud and obnoxious?

 

[6of6chicks]

Deleted 7/24/2014.

 

[birdlady79]

^^^This! Exactly!! Thanks for understanding!

I've decided it's time for my 'house' chicken to go back to the flock. She's pooping normally and eating well, so it's as good a time as any, I guess. I'm going to put her dog kennel in the run (with a cardboard pyramid on the top so they won't sit up there and poop on her) to reintroduce her to the flock. Sometimes it seems like her limp is better, and then she goes splat and lands flat on her face. I don't know how the flock is going to tolerate a limping chicken, but I can't take all the dandruff in the office much longer. Seriously, even with constant vacuuming it looks like it snowed in here! I don't know how long I'll keep her in the kennel - just depends on how the others react to her. Then I'll sneak her on the roost at night and cross my fingers. Knowing my bad luck I will finally see the nasty side of my flock and they'll bully her!

I don't have a complainer, but I do have a troublemaker. My other 'sick' chick, in fact. Little rascal is half the size of the others, but she's fast and smart. I think the rest of the flock thinks she's too crazy to mess with (good strategy on her part to avoid bullying, lol!). But if something goes wrong, gets knocked over, or gets pooped on - you can bet she's behind it. I swear she's the chicken from that movie Chicken Run - the one that is always plotting to escape!

Thanks for the vitamin & probiotic recommendations. Right now I'm using jump start powder in their water (vitamins, electrolytes, & probiotics). I'm also thinking about fermented feed because it's supposed to help keep a flock healthy. At this point I will try ANYTHING - I am just so desperate for healthy chickens!

You should joing the FF thread.... I was doing FF for a while, my girls liked it and they did good on it but it got really hot here and I just couldn't keep up with it... I'll start back in the fall..... I do however make mash in the morning and evening. It's not as benefical as FF but they like it....

I had one of my gals in the house Sunday and Monday. When I put her back out my 2 BA started pecking and I was like agh naw.... They stopped after a min or two and all is good...... Pecking orders back to normal....

They sure are funny. Keep me posted on progress.... Good luck

 

[quackquack2014]

I have a question about the Pecking Order myself.. This is the first time I've ever had chickens..About 2 weeks ago my husband bought me 6 Rhode Island Reds female chicks beiween 6 & 8 weeks old. They have been great together. We built a 16x16 run for them. I fell in love with so fast. There has been no pecking order between them at all. Today my husband came home with 6 new female chicks all about the same age as my reds. The new 6 are different breeds, 2 Danish Brown Leghorns, 2 Buff Orphington, & 2 Chestnut Americaunas. I was pretty scared to introduce to the new girls to the existing girls. WOW! The pecking order started, & I hate it.
Although I know this is not what I should have done, I put a chair out there & sat in the run with them. (which is something I did everyday to visit with the girls) If I felt they were being to aggressive I would intervene. Most of the aggression was between 2 of the reds & 1 of the americaunas. Occasionally one of the buffs would pick on a smaller chick. The leghorns were not aggressive at all, they tried to stay out of the way by jumping up in my lap &. Everytime the leghorns would just down to eat or just walk around, the other breeds would pick on them.
So bed time has come & the coop I have isn't large enough for 12 chicks when they can't get along. I couldn't leave the new girls in the run because the fox would get them.
So what should I do? It breaks my heart to see them pick on each other. Should I just leave them to work it out on their own? Should I stay out there to keep things under control? I know I make this out to be as if it took place all day today. I've only had the new girls for about 5 hours. Yes, I did sit out there the entire time. I just want to be a good mama to my chickens. I asked my husband if I should just give the new ones away... I know I need to have a tougher skin.
Would apprecate all the advice I can get.. Thanks so much in advance..