Pecking order.

[kano]

In my flock (16 hens, 1 roo) there are 5 old hens (4,2,1 year old) with their pecking order very well established. They are dominants to all the rest of the pullets. In this pecking order (6 Isa B. Reds and buffs, and 5 mutts all starting to lay) the things are more confused. There is not one pullet who is in the bottom. There are 3 or 4 who are there ,but they all interchange dominancy. For instance A peck B,and , D, but C can peck A, and so on.....I have always notice this, in flocks with numerous birds. What is your experience?

 

[beachchickie]

I have 4 laying hens of different ages. THey don't really bother each other very much. My oldest hen is the meanest but she never is mean to any of the laying hens. When they start laying they don't seem to fight much any more. I don't know what will happen with my 5 pullets that are only days from laying. All the hens are mean to them especially the oldest hen. I am very curious to see how they get treated after they start to lay.