Pecking order

[crazy hen quartet]

So, I went out to pick up poop in the pen the other day and as I bent over to scoop, our BR jumped up on my back and stayed there until I stood up, probably 20-30 seconds or so. What a shocker, and my son nearly died laughing

At the time, she was at the head of the pecking order in the flock. I am wondering if this was an attempt to establish her dominance over me?

 

[red rosecomb]

Probably, I mean we had many hens and 1 roo who kept on trying to become more dominant than my family and visitors. they attacked at any moment.

We tried to beat them at their little dominance games but they were persistant .

So my mom got tired of the bullying and sent those guys away

Still missin em.

 

[allisojo]

I don't know. The friendliest of our hens jumps on my back or shoulder fairly regularly, but that's just to get attention, I think. She's always running up and jumping on somebody's lap or arm. She's sweet (although I'd be lying if I didn't think occasionally she gives me that "I could eat your eyebrow" look). Maybe it's just an attention-seeking behavior?

 

[#1California Chick]

I don't have any chickens yet -- so I don't have any practical experience.

However, if I thought that the chickens were acting aggessively (as opposed to just wanting to jump on my shoulder or lap), I would come armed with a spray bottle!!!!

Cindy

 

[crazy hen quartet]

She isn't aggressive towards me, actually none of them are. My other thought was that since I often come in with a treat this was just her attempt to get attention and/or look for a treat.

Lately when I come in with treats she won't even wait for me to sit down to share them, she just flies right up and lands on my arm and starts eating away.

One of the reasons I wondered if it was a dominance thing is because one of my EE's who is at the bottom of the pecking order presents to me at least once a day, lol... so I thought maybe she wanted to be clear that while I am in the pecking order, I am not at the top.

 

[LynneP]

They're so funny, all of my hens will do that *except* my alpha girl...

 

[gritsar]

When my girls were young whenever the roos would try to mate them (and the girls wanted no part of it) they would fly up to our shoulders to get away from the roos. The only reason the girls don't do it now is that they have gotten too heavy to fly.
I don't think she's trying to dominate you. She was just being friendly and curious.

 

[the1much]

she wasnt claimin dominance,,, they do that by biting, and chasing you,, she just felt safe up there and wanted to look around

 

[crazy hen quartet]

Good to know she feels safe around me!

 

[bigzio]

Gotta love those pretty hens!

bigzio