Hi All -
Anyone out there well versed in pecking order? I've got two hens, born and raised together from early-mid August of 2013. Hen #1 (Nugget) has always been alpha to hen #2 (Ms. Fuzzy Cheeks). Nugget was so alpha to Cheeks that she'd eat all the food to the point of gorging herself. Last week she ate a sub sandwich and stretched out her crop. I had her out at the vet half the day to make sure it wasn't something more serious. She's rec'd a clean bill of health and is acting like her usual healthy energetic self. However, when we got home from the vet and I put her back in the coop I noticed that Ms. Cheeks is acting very much like the new alpha. Cheeks won't let Nugget eat and won't let Nugget on the wooden bar they both used to share. Nugget's been keeping her head down and won't make eye contact with Cheeks. Prior to this afternoon's vet visit I tried to restrict Nugget's food intake a bit and fed Cheeks in a separate area. Any idea what may have caused this alpha position swap and if there's anything I should do. Poor Nugget has already had a rough day...I feel badly that she's come home to the usually sweet and docile Cheeks who's now the new bully in town.
Anyone out there well versed in pecking order? I've got two hens, born and raised together from early-mid August of 2013. Hen #1 (Nugget) has always been alpha to hen #2 (Ms. Fuzzy Cheeks). Nugget was so alpha to Cheeks that she'd eat all the food to the point of gorging herself. Last week she ate a sub sandwich and stretched out her crop. I had her out at the vet half the day to make sure it wasn't something more serious. She's rec'd a clean bill of health and is acting like her usual healthy energetic self. However, when we got home from the vet and I put her back in the coop I noticed that Ms. Cheeks is acting very much like the new alpha. Cheeks won't let Nugget eat and won't let Nugget on the wooden bar they both used to share. Nugget's been keeping her head down and won't make eye contact with Cheeks. Prior to this afternoon's vet visit I tried to restrict Nugget's food intake a bit and fed Cheeks in a separate area. Any idea what may have caused this alpha position swap and if there's anything I should do. Poor Nugget has already had a rough day...I feel badly that she's come home to the usually sweet and docile Cheeks who's now the new bully in town.
