Pecking order

[Fletty]

I have 3 15 week old chickens and I am so surprised by our current pecking order. I have a barred rock who is the largest and most aggressive, a RIR who is sweet and docile not exceptionally friendly but allows us to handle her. And a skittish polish who seems to want to be the leader. She is often left behind by the other two but refuses to be left out. She will squeeze herself in the middle of a chicken pile up and I found her tonight taking the top roost. I had read that polish are sometimes picked on but she doesn’t seem to notice or care. It’s like she has appointed herself top hen!

 

[azygous]

Looks can be deceiving, even in Chicken World.

 

[Fletty]

I have 3 15 week old chickens and I am so surprised by our current pecking order. I have a barred rock who is the largest and most aggressive, a RIR who is sweet and docile not exceptionally friendly but allows us to handle her. And a skittish polish who seems to want to be the leader. She is often left behind by the other two but refuses to be left out. She will squeeze herself in the middle of a chicken pile up and I found her tonight taking the top roost. I had read that polish are sometimes picked on but she doesn’t seem to notice or care. It’s like she has appointed herself top hen!

I’ve noticed that she is last to go into the coop at night and walks the perimeter as if to check and make sure everyone is in an safe. Weird behavior for a hen?

 

[Chickassan]

Chickens do all sorts of things they "shouldn't" do.
Individuality isn't talked about much when it comes to them but I assure you it is there.
Sounds like your Polish is showing you a little bit.
Oh, weird dosen't exsist with chickens.
Odd, freaky, unique and messed up they have plenty of.

 

[Lovem all]

Pecking orders can be weird. My leader is a sweet little old barred rock who's ten years old. She outdoes all 4 of my roos.

 

[Sammy1122]

I experienced the same thing with m polish.Their not leaders but will not be left.Their very dominant one even breeds the other hens,and occasionally I catch the black hen trying to fight someone.