What happens if no one is in charge?

[CESOrtega]

My chief cluck died, leaving the submissive one behind as the only chicken. So, we got 3 new babies who are too young to put in with her as she snaps at them. A friend gave us a year old youngster who is more than willing to submit to the existing hen but the existing hen really doesn't know how to be boss. She pecks at the new bird every now and then but if the new bird wanders off, the old one is left to chase after her. It is almost as if she is saying, "I'm the leader, wait for me!" They have never attacked each other or fought other than a few face-offs when they were first caged together. My guess is that when the babies get bigger one of them will be the dominant one.

Anyone else ever experience not having a real dominant bird?

 

[Amyable]

I would guess they will figure it all out with time.

 

[ChickenToes]

They probably have a pecking order figured out already, it's just not very obvious yet. In time it will become more clear.