How long does it take to get the pecking order sorted out?

[Dianemarie]

The pecking order isn’t necessarily linear either. There are groups that eat and hang out together with no drama and then there are hens that just have to chase and peck somebody! I’m fascinated by the groupings and how they shift and change.

I am reading these because mine have been integrated since last Sept. and they are still running by each other screaming (whether they got pecked or not) it was only 3-4 weeks before they started molting so the whole lot of them have went thorough the worried skittish phase and lots of screaming and running, not that much pecking as a matter of fact my lowest on the roost finished molting first and she pecks so lightly she wants to be "that chicken" be she is too sweet she slowly walks up to the new girls and breaks up their fun chat and walks away, the newbs scream and run. She was the toughest before the molt she would pinch out their feathers. It starts a chain reaction then the newbs chase the OG's. I started giving them lavender chamomile herbal tea and Relax™ dressing for their nerves and screaming . I wasn't really sure if this is because they are molting and it is stretching out pecking or what? I'm grateful for this forum.

 

[Dianemarie]

Indeed.

I have an independent-minded girl who *looks* like she might be a low-ranked outsider. Except that if you pay attention you'll see that NO ONE messes with Chipotle.

But she has no interest in running the flock.

I have one of those, she is a sapphire she is always alone , farthest away when free-ranging but she always molts last, that is when it is her turn to take over the flock she rules with an iron fist. The first year she would stand right outside the huddle on a little riser and stand watch, then do a perimeter check and then sit next to the girls, all day . She didn't let me mean girl even look twice at the baby chicks through the wire because she would peck her head I was impressed with her efforts she is a strong head chicken, I was really proud of her , as a matter of fact it is her UPs right now, she hasn't molted after that she goes back to the quiet place in the coop.

 

[Mrs. K]

When the chicks start laying, then they will be come one flock. Until then it is more like two flocks, that exist together. Then one day, that line is gone.

 

[UpstateChickenDaddy]

I don’t yet know who is boss yet, Charles or Henry. They both become very chatty however when I am out there but no one has yet charged at me. The boys do come over however if I am holding a hen and she isn’t a fan. But so far no hostility.

Everyone was raised together since day 2 and no one appears particularly aggressive but I did see two hens start to get a little grumpy with one another today and immediately Charles went over and pecked her on the head. Problem solved. Order restored.

I am curious if your flocks pretty much stick together. Although mine have plenty of space and they do go rummaging about, pretty much they are always generally together. I am hoping to see which roo they are following one day. I caught Henry engaged in what has to be the silliest mating dance I have ever seen. Almost like the roo is trying to elicit sympathy from the hens. Ha. So perhaps he will be numero uno. Anyway, do your flocks indeed flock together?