Who's your matriarch?

[Cheekychook12]

A white hen to boot! I'm seeing a trend developing.

Well she was getting bullied in the other pen but she’s the boss now
Maybe it’s because she’s lavender but not white
Hmmm though my white rooster is the boss in my main pen

 

[ManOverBoard]

I love this thread of "Who's your matriarch?"

It is fascinating to watch chickens doing chickens thing. I used to have a matriarch in my flock, she shown herself in the first few weeks of her life, we named her Leader... because all the other followed her, including our rooster, but she was just a few weeks old chick.

She so knowing, she stood support of other hens laying their first eggs, gently peck at other naughty one. She passed away many years ago.

Now we currently have one - Big Mouth..that is now quiet due to her being on implant. She is the oldest in our flock, she does not have other qualities like our Leader hen, but she keeps her flock in order as we beginning to see her work. Big Mouth is the photo of my Avatar.

For me it is hard to treat chickens as chickens as they have so much personalities, understanding, knowing, wants, needs and some are very good communicator.

Edit to correct spelling

Our previous matriarch was a lot like your "leader" her name was big mama.
She was great at keeping everyone in their place but also had the perfect balance of letting them sort their own problems out to an extent. She'd stand up for the youngsters and quell any quarrel that was getting out of hand, while still being sweet calm quiet and personable

 

[Nicks_Chicks]

I have a 4 year old hen named Mane Avis

 

[Nicks_Chicks]

I have a 4 year old hen named Mane Avis

She... Is also white

 

[gimmie birdies]

Bluebell may not be the head hen, but she is the head of her nestbox, and does not want to share.