My Roost Is My Throne...

[Frazzemrat1]

I've read over and over, that in regards to the pecking order and roosting, the Queen Chicken will roost highest. I've wondered over that, as the highest in the pecking order of my flock, one of my brahmas, always sleeps on the floor with the other brahmas, my BJG and my Buckeye (who's the lowest, or very near it). The one who roosts highest is my SSH, and she's high in the order, but not the highest.
Have my girls decided that they don't care where they sleep, that thrones are over rated and they're more comfortable where they're more comfortable?

 

[azygous]

"Thrones" is a concept for humans. Where a chicken roosts depends on many other things than pecking order.

I have perches at three different levels. My one remaining Brahma, who happens to be nine years old and the highest ranking in the flock sleeps on a very low perch with the two other heaviest breeds, a Cochin and an Orpington. The perch is less than a foot off the floor allowing them to step onto it with zero effort.

The highest perch, about thirty inches, is occupied by the Welsummers and the Legbars, all younger and lighter. They have always enjoyed being highest. They are all in the middle of the pecking order.

The remaining perch is occupied by all the rest of the flock, including the rooster. It's about 24 inches high.

I would say that body size and age play much larger roles in where a chicken roosts than pecking order. The final factor is where they find the least conflict from other chickens.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

That makes sense, as the girls that sleep in a chicken puddle together are the brahmas and the BJG... I think the Buckeye just likes to sleep with the big girls. The Hamburgs, being the lightest, are way up high.

 

[chickens really]

Hello....Bed time roosting has nothing to do with pecking order..Its the roosting shuffle...My Top Hen sleeps on the edge of the Roost and my other below her sleeps on a 2x4 nailed to two tree stumps..Everyone gets shuffling around and bickering so she chooses to sleep there ....Less drama...