Dinkychick Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Hi, i dont understand about the pecking order..well i kind of do, they do it to see who is boss right? Well my chucks seem to squabble alot! They always have tho in the 7weeks we have had them... first Pecky would only peck Alfred even tho Strut has always been the smallest chicken. Then Pecky would go for both, but strut would stand up to her. Now strut jumps out on the others now and again... she doesnt tend to back down. Pecky does peck heads, and stares alfred down, alfred squeals alot but does that anyways over anything. Lots of raised neck fethers un stuff but no real harm done. Pecky GG does seem to be leader but Strut is always first to run for freedom out of the run.... they do get on most of the time honest preening each other etc Can someone please explain how long the chucks fight over being top hen for? How does it normally work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 There is usually a few weeks tussling to sort out who is who in the heirarchy, but they do still have to remind the others occasionally so there will always be the odd peck and squabble. All perfectly normal, and much of it is for show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsallen08 Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 As they are still young they do seem to have a squabble everytime one has grown a bit more! We had 2 Marans and a Wyandotte at 4weeks old and they are now 15 weeks old. They did squabble for a while until they understood pecking order and even though one maran is slightly taller atm she is only 2nd in p.o. Its all part of growing up for them (and us - did you have bro's and sis'???) As long as it is just nips now and again don't worry but if any are pulling feathers or you see any blood then start separating. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Mmmm mine must be quite strange, then! There seems to be no order at all. Never any squabbling though Krystal, the Bluebelle, is more of a loner at times. One is louder than the rest but I wouldn't say there appears to be any pecking order. They are all about 25 weeks old and all laying. Strange?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Mine too...The only one of mine that does any pecking is Ouiser (hence the name) check out my sig for her quote. The others just go about thier business and get the occasional peck from Ouiser....Chicken behavior is so odd sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 My chickens are getting on fine even though it's only their 2nd day It depends on the chickens personality as one of mine is bigger than the other but the smaller one seems in charge! The only pecking i've noticed was when I first put them together then they settled down, except Chickpea had a piece of swetcorn in her mouth late afternoon and Yolko pecked her beak and grabbed the corn, cheeky thing. and like mrsallen08 said if they begin to pull out feathers, or blood, start separating! Good Luck with it x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Our pecking order is a bit odd - biggest chicken is top chicken. But smallest chicken will square up to her and put her in her place. But smallest chicken can be chased out of the way by middle chicken. And Henny just seems to be immune to it all and not get bothered or bother anyone. Luckily they only squabble when there are treats on the go. I don't know what will happen when we put the 3 newbies in - at the moment they are in a separate enclosure and the two sets completely ignore each other. Milly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 Mmmm mine must be quite strange, then!There seems to be no order at all. Never any squabbling though Krystal, the Bluebelle, is more of a loner at times. One is louder than the rest but I wouldn't say there appears to be any pecking order. They are all about 25 weeks old and all laying. Strange?? Mine are like yours. At first I thought I knew who was top but now I don't have a clue. They never seem to fight or peck eachother and even when they play 'slugby' it all seems very amicable. perhaps we are just lucky. It does make me very glad I have got three as if I only had two I could see myself wanting more but with three there is no need for me to add to the flock as there is enough eggs from them and so there should be no introductions and boat rocking. If I get the bantams I would like next year they would be kept in an eglu on their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinkychick Posted September 1, 2008 Author Share Posted September 1, 2008 ah cool...thanks peeps i think i maybe worrying over not alot hehe. Im just not used to seeing animals do that sort of thing... today im looking after 2 kids and they have done nothing but bicker! It makes the chucks look tame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
