Queen of the roost

[chickens really]

Chicken behavior is so curious! It’s been pretty fun watching them. Can’t wait to see how this changes. It’s like a lifetime movie. Haha!

Yes, as they mature and the dynamics are set they will know who is in charge..

 

[micstrachan]

Sleeping/ Roosting has nothing to do with pecking order.
Keep watching and they will squabble for a position each night in diffent roosting spots...

Interesting. I don’t know the science/psychology behind it, but at my house, roosting position is very much aligned with social position. One pullet loved the highest spot at first. But the three top ranked hens booted her off and dominate that roost each night now. My two lowest ranked girls are on the lowest roost, sometimes alone and sometimes snuggled up with a middle ranked partner. The middle ranked girls are on tbe middle roost most of the time, except when one is accepted up top or someone prefers to stay down below.

 

[April Barta]

Interesting. I don’t know the science/psychology behind it, but at my house, roosting position is very much aligned with social position. One pullet loved the highest spot at first. But the three top ranked hens booted her off and dominate that roost each night now. My two lowest ranked girls are on the lowest roost, sometimes alone and sometimes snuggled up with a middle ranked partner. The middle ranked girls are on tbe middle roost most of the time, except when one is accepted up top or someone prefers to stay down below.

Tonight, my husband and I watched through the window as the antics continued on episode 2 of Queen of the Roost. (LOL) It was amazing to see the girls all start to make their way up to the bars and then stand there and each one slowly scooted closer to the one end. Then one of the higher up girls would just climb over or under legs to get closer to the far right corner. There was pushing, pecking, shoving, tossing and birds went a flying! So many of them fell off! I'm half worried they are going to get hurt! My two leghorns cuddled up on the left and stayed out of the drama. We watched for 15 minutes and they were still figuring it out. I love how entertaining they are.