How long does the pecking order take???

[Ashley McDaniel]

I have 2 flocks, just for This very reason lol My husband gives me grief over it all the time. He thinks I should put my smaller Bantam breeds (Cochin-Silkie) in with the other flock of large breed production hens and roo. He says, "The strong will survive! They're just chickens!" Lol And yeah, that's true. But we all know that women are emotional creatures, as most men are not. So, as someone else added, I also let one flock out in the morning, put them back in the afternoon, then let out the Cochin and Silkies. I do have 1 Silkie rooster who remains with the large breed flock , due to being very aggressive and almost killing the other Silkies. He is very low on the totem pole, but refuses to accept it. In my opinion, the pecking order can be established, but trying to declare dominance and become higher ranking will never cease. All you can do is what you've been doing. And like the others said, you can't have a bully disrupting the flock , it's not fair to the others. And yes it sucks having to say goodbye to our pets, but if you don't, you're other birds might not be so lucky. Yours is still very young, I'd give her some more time. Best of luck to you!

 

[Bullardmama3]

I believe their area is plenty big. It’s a pretty big A frame coop. I have 2 roosts in the house part and I also have what I call a (jungle gym)that my husband built. It’s just a few roosts that are different levels from each other. As far as their diet. The have constant access to water, they are on layena starter(non medicated) they always get (treats) I hang a cabbage that they jump up and peck at, I feed them kale, sweet bell peppers, meal worms, etc. Ues they are spoiled chickens
Sound like they are ok in that aspect, Don’t y’all think?
Thanks for all the advice

 

[Ashley McDaniel]

I believe their area is plenty big. It’s a pretty big A frame coop. I have 2 roosts in the house part and I also have what I call a (jungle gym)that my husband built. It’s just a few roosts that are different levels from each other. As far as their diet. The have constant access to water, they are on layena starter(non medicated) they always get (treats) I hang a cabbage that they jump up and peck at, I feed them kale, sweet bell peppers, meal worms, etc. Ues they are spoiled chickens
Sound like they are ok in that aspect, Don’t y’all think?
Thanks for all the advice

Yes, they're coop is great, and it sounds like they are just like my fuzzy butts #SPOILED LOL

 

[Bullardmama3]

I know.....who knew Chickens were soooo interesting and addictive

 

[lazy gardener]

What are the dimensions of their coop and what are the dimensions of their run?

 

[Bullardmama3]

What are the dimensions of their coop and what are the dimensions of their run?

The run in 8x15 and the coop is 4x15

 

[chickengeorgeto]

.... Got my first girls back in November.... Had them since 3 days old. About 4-5 weeks later, I got 3 more.... They have been together now for about 2 months!!! But they still are trying to establish a pecking order??!!...

The pecking order is fluid and it will never be "ESTABLISHED" at least not in the way that I think you mean "established" All through a chicken's life it constantly is controlled by the pecking order. In fact if your ever lucky or maybe unlucky enough to be on hand when one of your alpha or boss chickens has a stroke or a heart attach that fact will become apparent because every hen in the coop will rush in just to get a few free licks or kicks at the stricken hen that only seconds ago was these hens acknowledged lord and master. That is if the stricken bird is displaying obvious signs of distress. I have often used the phrase "Chickens don't do compassion well." That may well be the UNIVERSAL fact of keeping chickens.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Mine are still "Establishing" and probably always will.... When I put them up for the night is when this happens.... of course they all want the top perch! You can always have the Bully for Sunday Dinner!

I would not advise anyone to cull a high ranking hen because of pecking order or pecking disorder issues. To do so is almost always cull your best, most productive, and healthiest chicken, leaving you with a coop full of sickish, shrinking violet hens, who at some fundamental level are unfit to to be in your flock. But as I always say, your hens belong to you and they belong to no one else so knock yourself out. If it comes to it, culling is best done to the birds being bullied.

 

[Larry Rose]

Years ago, I remember the practice of trimming the Beak, on baby chicks. Can this be done later as an alternative to a "Bully Hen" doing damage by pulling feathers etc. Is this still done? Is it still practical in preventing damage to other chickens? Thanks...

 

[lazy gardener]

Years ago, I remember the practice of trimming the Beak, on baby chicks. Can this be done later as an alternative to a "Bully Hen" doing damage by pulling feathers etc. Is this still done? Is it still practical in preventing damage to other chickens? Thanks...

It can be done, but IMO, it's highly unethical. I don't know if it can be done on adult birds. I would rather cull the bird who simply does not fit into the flock than debeak her. Some birds are just mean spirited. There is a difference between the top pecking order bird who maintains her position in the flock, and a top pecking order girl who is bent on bloodshed. You must look at your set up and determine if the fault lies in your management style, or if you have a bird who truly has a loose screw. Sometimes, simply decreasing flock size will bring stress level down enough to restore harmony. Other times it may be necessary to remove a trouble maker, or break up a clique.