Observing flock dynamics

[AussieJen]

I have 8 pullets around 16wks old of mixed breeds (mainly bantams). For some time I presumed my first hatched LF barnevelder or my bantam light Sussex were my alpha and beta birds, though I wasn't sure who was on top. I've seen quite a few standoffs between these two as they grew up together. However recently I've seen a couple of things which have made me wonder if neither of them is queen bee. Any suggestions on how I tell? This sort of thing fascinates me!

 

[AussieJen]

The observed behaviours:
(a) I recently wormed them with a levamisole product in their water. As directed I removed their water source overnight, so they were thirsty when I put the medicated water in with them. All 8 birds can't fit around the waterer. I found all of them were drinking except my Sussex, who was obviously quite anxious to get in there but only managed to squeeze in after a couple of them had had their fill.
(b) Yesterday I took them some watermelon rinds and held onto them while they pecked off the remaining pink goodness. My double-laced LF barnevelder (largest bird in flock) deferred to the light sussex, who is always the first to try new foods. But even when it was obvious most of them were enjoying it she still hung back. She's also lost her long curved tail feathers in the last couple of days, and I'm thinking they may have been removed by her flock mates. I checked them all for signs of lice/mites a couple of days ago and they looked fine.

 

[JedJackson]

I have 8 pullets around 16wks old of mixed breeds (mainly bantams). For some time I presumed my first hatched LF barnevelder or my bantam light Sussex were my alpha and beta birds, though I wasn't sure who was on top. I've seen quite a few standoffs between these two as they grew up together. However recently I've seen a couple of things which have made me wonder if neither of them is queen bee. Any suggestions on how I tell? This sort of thing fascinates me!

You have to do what you are already doing, which is to observe them. Any time a bird pecks another bird, and if the other bird doesn't put up a fight, it means that the bird doing the pecking is higher up on the pecking order. So watch for the female that always gets away with it if she pecks, and watch for submissive behavior in the others-- things like lowering heads, skittishness, etc. There's just no fast and easy way to know, especially with the young ones.

The best times/places to observe are around food, water, roosting, and in nest boxes. Also listen to the sounds they make. An angry dominant pullet will express herself.

 

[JedJackson]

The observed behaviours:
(a) I recently wormed them with a levamisole product in their water. As directed I removed their water source overnight, so they were thirsty when I put the medicated water in with them. All 8 birds can't fit around the waterer. I found all of them were drinking except my Sussex, who was obviously quite anxious to get in there but only managed to squeeze in after a couple of them had had their fill.
(b) Yesterday I took them some watermelon rinds and held onto them while they pecked off the remaining pink goodness. My double-laced LF barnevelder (largest bird in flock) deferred to the light sussex, who is always the first to try new foods. But even when it was obvious most of them were enjoying it she still hung back. She's also lost her long curved tail feathers in the last couple of days, and I'm thinking they may have been removed by her flock mates. I checked them all for signs of lice/mites a couple of days ago and they looked fine.

Interesting. It sounds like they are still working out their pecking order to me. And sometimes it is not as simple as one top female-- sometimes it is more complicated.

Keep an eye on the Barnevelder's tail, and feather picking in general. It's often a sign that the flock needs more space and/or protein.

 

[AussieJen]

Interesting. It sounds like they are still working out their pecking order to me. And sometimes it is not as simple as one top female-- sometimes it is more complicated.

Keep an eye on the Barnevelder's tail, and feather picking in general. It's often a sign that the flock needs more space and/or protein.

I've been a bit concerned about the feather loss. Every day there's noticeably more feathers in the run, although none of the birds have any bald patches. Does that sound normal? We're mid-summer here so not moulting. What other reasons could there be for feather loss?

Spose I need to keep a closer eye on them to observe whether I might have a particular feather-picker in my flock. The barnevelder I referred to also had a black spot on one of her wattles recently and I assumed she'd had a spat and it was dried blood. Maybe as you said they're all still figuring it out.

I'll also look into giving them a few more protein treats (they don't get much ATM apart from what's in their grower pellets), and further enriching their environment.

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

 

[JedJackson]

I've been a bit concerned about the feather loss. Every day there's noticeably more feathers in the run, although none of the birds have any bald patches. Does that sound normal? We're mid-summer here so not moulting. What other reasons could there be for feather loss?

Spose I need to keep a closer eye on them to observe whether I might have a particular feather-picker in my flock. The barnevelder I referred to also had a black spot on one of her wattles recently and I assumed she'd had a spat and it was dried blood. Maybe as you said they're all still figuring it out.

I'll also look into giving them a few more protein treats (they don't get much ATM apart from what's in their grower pellets), and further enriching their environment.

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

At 16 weeks it is not too unusual to lose some feathers, especially if it is really hot out. But yes, definitely watch them. If you have a feather picker, it's a good idea to post in the medical/emergencies thread.

Before supplementing with protein treats, check the label of your feed for protein content. For grower feed, it should be 18-20%, which is all they'll need, unless you supplement with scratch or a lot of table scraps. If you do, you should cut way back on those treats. Another thing to do now that they are that age is to put a free choice dish of crushed oyster shells out for them. I don't know it for a fact, but I would guess that feather picking could also be a sign of calcium deficiency, and your pullets will soon need a lot of it for laying.

 

[HeyHo]

My flock is about 9 months old now -- but right around 4 months, they went through a soft/adolescent molt. Feathers all over the place. I have a mixed flock and they all contributed from the color of the feathers. So it may be normal. Are there any new feathers coming in?

And it took a long time for me to realize that there is very little conflict at the top and bottom of my pecking order. My head hens almost never have to correct anyone. The lowest two mind their business and stay out of the way of the others. It's the middle few that are always jockeying for position.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Chicks go through a couple of juvenile molts before they reach full size. They outgrow their down/feathers and need to replace them. It sounds like that is what you are seeing, a juvenile molt. Perfectly normal.

At 16 weeks they are still adolescents. Chickens mature at different rates and the more mature are generally at the top of the pecking order. That can change as the others mature, though the early to mature have a bit of an advantage. So yes, they are still figuring it out and probably will be until most are laying eggs.

It often can be hard to tell exactly where they stand in the pecking order, even after they all mature and figure it out. Sometimes the flock is so peaceful it is really hard to tell who is in charge, let alone individual rankings. Occasionally you have a brute who leaves no doubt. It's their individuality that can make them so fascinating to watch. So observe as best you can but don't be surprised if it changes as they mature. Roost time is the most obvious to me. Tossing them limited treats can also be instructive. Don't go by size, it is not unusual for a bantam to dominate a full-sized bird. Just see who defers to whom.