Lots of observation. I know which one is my lead hen because she's the one that never backs down from anyone else, and very few of the others will even try anything with her (and if they do, they get chased around).
For example, today, two of the hens were squabbling and jumping at each other. My head hen came over, watched about 10 seconds of it, then started to peck the two fighters on the head until they broke off. She then pecked the higher ranked of the two once, then pecked the lower ranked bird several times until she lowered her head, then chased her around in a circle before she was satisfied that all was as it should be.
For example, today, two of the hens were squabbling and jumping at each other. My head hen came over, watched about 10 seconds of it, then started to peck the two fighters on the head until they broke off. She then pecked the higher ranked of the two once, then pecked the lower ranked bird several times until she lowered her head, then chased her around in a circle before she was satisfied that all was as it should be.
