What happened..?

[JeanR]

All chickens are individuals, in large commercial flocks, they are flock-intimidated and most seem similar. Our birds are our friends (?) but they are still individuals with some poultry character that can be identified. YOU do not own the hens or the roosters. You may feel that you do and treat them as YOURS. But many roosters do not agree. To remain friends and feel comfortable to pick up and cuddle your birds is not the usual poultry temperament, and we can be happy if ours are that way (mostly). Roosters own their hens and dare you pick up one of HIS hens! Just to keep things always gentle and friendly, I never pick up a hen unless I am between her and the rooster. He can VIGOROUSLY object and attack YOU, but unlikely to do so if you just pick her up quickly and move away. She rarely makes a fuss. With this approach, your rooster-roosters will accept this, but my not really approve! If you pick her up in front of him, you may be developing a mean rooster who will attack you when you enter the pen to dare you to take away one of HIS hens! Most roosters are not vicious, but CAN BE--I have had very few that were, but I DO NOT keep an attack rooster, no matter how lovely he is! If you hatch his chicks do not expect that the boys will be mean....they either are or are not, but can become mean or NOT! Such a learning process about each of our own birds-- and even hens can be mean! Chickens, as a whole, are not kittens or puppies. They are workers and have a job to do--we do not need to interrupt their work, except to let them know that we will feed and shelter them and keep them safe from varmints! And enjoy them all!

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

With my first roosters I had hen named Bossy. She earned her name! Head hen all the way. When 2 boys came into the picture she was merciless. Big Boy matured faster and naturally just took over. He was polite with the girls and Bossy let him lead. She was second in command. No one messed with Bossy.
I lost Bossy, then Big Boy and Handsom (the second roo) within a matter of months. My two oldest girls didn't step in. A young BCM seemed to take charge. She was always rather pushy so I wasn't surprised. But honestly I'm not sure they have a real leader. I have five, one year old hens. I've seen the BCM (Missy) peck them all. Including the youngsters from this year. I have a Wheaten Americauna who seems to take pleasure in beating on the youngsters. My old Leghorn (1 of 2, 4+ yrs) has been seen giving Missy the old one two...
I guess what I was seeing was the older girls (over one) accepting one rooster over the others. Maybe he shows more manners and leader like qualities. There is no dominate male as of yet that I can tell. That was what I was meaning by the hens choosing. If they accept Captain and discipline the other two I would think it gives Captain the advantage. The other boys have to fight each other AND the girls for top spot. Where as Captain walks with confidence. Hhhmmmmm...
Chickens!?!