Pecking Order

[Muscoweewee]

My small flock of two chickens recently had a fight. However afterwards, my previously more dominant easter egger hen became more docile, and my austrawhite hen which was previously the more docile chicken has become more aggressive. Is this simply a change in pecking order as the previous top chick was defeated in battle, or was it because my easter egger is sick and hence is now weaker so she is displaced?

Thanks!

 

[aart]

2 chickens isn't really a flock...it's a pair.
Hard to say if your now low bird is sick or not, she may just not be 'queen' any longer.
How old are these birds?

 

[chickens really]

Two Birds will argue more being they are only two Birds. The older they get try to be boss..A nice number is 5 Hens.

 

[Muscoweewee]

2 chickens isn't really a flock...it's a pair.
Hard to say if your now low bird is sick or not, she may just not be 'queen' any longer.
How old are these birds?

Both birds are two and a half years old. I haven't been aware of any previous 'fights' if they did occur. The current 'top chick' hasn't been bullying the other. The easter egger's feathers are pretty scruffy / loose and they keep falling out but I'm not sure if that's from fighting / pecking or from disease (the austrawhite had the same problem but not to the same degree from getting pecked).

 

[aart]

Both birds are two and a half years old. I haven't been aware of any previous 'fights' if they did occur. The current 'top chick' hasn't been bullying the other. The easter egger's feathers are pretty scruffy / loose and they keep falling out but I'm not sure if that's from fighting / pecking or from disease (the austrawhite had the same problem but not to the same degree from getting pecked).

Pecking orders do change......why the scruffy feathers?
Could be several reasons.
First thought is, did they molt last fall?
What is your location? adding it to your profile can really help with that.


Do you use supplemental lighting for more eggs in winter?

What and how exactly are you feeding?

And should be done regularly but...
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

 

[Muscoweewee]

Pecking orders do change......why the scruffy feathers?
Could be several reasons.
First thought is, did they molt last fall?
What is your location? adding it to your profile can really help with that.
View attachment 1381606

Do you use supplemental lighting for more eggs in winter?

What and how exactly are you feeding?

And should be done regularly but...
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

The austrawhite moulted, but the easter egger didn't. It's autumn for me now because I live in Australia so that might be a reason. I don't use supplementary lighting in winter. I feed them pellets, scratch, vegetables, crushed egg shells and leftovers occasionally. They are fed using plastic trays (I'm planning to change this as I think there may be a rat problem). I'll check for mites soon, thanks!

 

[RWise]

Being fall in your part of the world, she is most likely molting.
Here I do run lights in the winter to keep the day 13.5 hours long (for eggs)

 

[aart]

The austrawhite moulted, but the easter egger didn't. It's autumn for me now because I live in Australia so that might be a reason. I don't use supplementary lighting in winter. I feed them pellets, scratch, vegetables, crushed egg shells and leftovers occasionally.

Ahh.....add your location to your profile.
When did the pecking order change in relation to the AW molting?
You might want to balance their diet......less scratch and veggies.