What the Hek Is The Pecking Order?

[silkiechicken]

Haha, what about a hen who sleeps under the rooster! One of my middle hens does that and I'm shocked she still hasn't injured herself on his huge spurs....

 

[CarriBrown]

I've also noticed that the top hen will almost always get whatever "treat" the roo finds (when he does his little, "Look what I found!" call). Sometimes she may ignore him, but if she comes running, all the other hens back down. Also, if my top hen is "ignoring" the roo, he will do anything he can to get her attention.

 

[ChickyLoo]

(4) The top hen always sleeps closest to the alpha rooster. She may be on his left side one night and right side the next, but she always roosts next to him.

This was the case with my beloved chickyLoo who was injured and we had to put down :*( clearly she must have been the queen. Does the ROO seem to "favor" the queenie more or does that not have anything to do with pecking order??? When chickyloo left the flock it seemed all hell broke loose, it stressed out another one of my hens so bad that she had to go too. Now all is calm again and I'm still trying to figure out who's in charge now. I have my suspicions but will continue to watch them.​

 

[Cole405]

Pecking order is a way of showing who is boss. one in first place, second, third ect. pecking order is based on who is the biggest, oldest, and strongest. The roosters are the bosses, even if the hens are older. You are in first place

 

[lindalouly]

Pecking orders exist but often change through time and sickness and stuff. My two dominant girls are always together. There is a definite chain of command. My chicks go in there coop by this order but that will eventually change when my roo figures out he's a roo and he will hopefully do his thing and the girls will follow his lead.. Roosters will often choose favorite girls too and that can change the order. I wouldn't worry to much about pecking order. It's just how they are built to behave.