Pecking order not making sense?

[BigDaveChickenLord]

4 hens big white,whitey,blackie and brownie. i think big white is the top hen but big white is scared of brownie and brownie is scared of blackie and blackie is scared of big white

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Who is Whitey scared of? Maybe she's top hen?

Size doesn't always matter in pecking orders. My little bantams used to chase my big Orpingtons around.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Pecking order isn't always linear either, though generally with a small group of chickens it's easier to figure out.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Whatever it is, it makes sense to them. Do they buddy-up on the roosting bars, or share a dust bath?

 

[Shevraeth]

My flock's pecking order definitely isn't linear. I have a top hen for sure, but of the two hens under her, one is above a few birds while the other one is below some of those birds, and then the bird I think is generally lowest on the ladder pecks one other bird that herself pecks at other birds. It's more like what a food web looks like, but with chicken power.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's more like what a food web looks like, but with chicken power.

Oh yes, I remember I drew this very sloppy illustration...

 

[Shevraeth]

Oh yes, I remember I drew this very sloppy illustration...
View attachment 3275867

Accurate!!

 

[Mrs. K]

If they all keep their feathers, all get something to eat, and can all roost together, it doesn't matter.

 

[BigDaveChickenLord]

Who is Whitey scared of? Maybe she's top hen?

Size doesn't always matter in pecking orders. My little bantams used to chase my big Orpingtons around.

She is scared of everyone

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

She is scared of everyone

Ok. You probably have a messed up pecking order like some of the other people in this thread is talking about.