troyster Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Just out of interest, I have 3 lovely girls and I have had them since they were about 16-18 weeks old. When we first got them, one got injured had a limpy leg for a time (she's fine now and has progressed to being a CASBO chicken, ASBO for chickens!) So it seemed that the other two were left organising the pecking order. They used to bump chest, but there was no bloodshed or "Saturday Night" level of fighting. This chest bumping has totally disappeared now, so I am presuming the pecking order is sorted, with CASBO (real name Amanda) being an early withdrawal from the competition. My husband and I can't work out who's the dominant one, the only difference being Wilhemena my Light Sussex, is not quite as affectionate as the other two, but we just assumed she was stuck up! Is it possible that an equalitarian state of politics has been struck up in my coop? How can you tell? T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Just a few suggestions to help you decide (based on our little mob): - Who is the first one out of the eglu in the mornings? (Our top chook literally bursts out, always first, every morning) - Who is the last to bed at night? (Not sure if this is a co-incidence but our top chook always does a final little safety patrol and perimeter check before heading off to bed after the others each night) - Who is the most pushy when you're hand-feeding them? And does any of your chickens peck any of the others if they get too enthusiastic? (My top chook gives the others a little warning peck if she thinks they are taking more than their fair share!) -Who is the best layer? -Who is the most confident? -Who usually seems to lead the way around the garden when they're free-ranging? Might help... it may well be that in your happy little group they are all very comfortable in their respective roles so there is rarely any need to assert themselves. skye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 excellent summing up there Skye! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Who is the one that the others all give way to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 I've never really noticed a pecking order with my 3 girls. One is slightly more reluctant to come out of the run door if I'm standing there but otherwise they all get on brilliantly and I've never seen anyone peck anyone else . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troyster Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 Hello everyone There is no one particular chicken that comes out first, but I will look closer at this now you've mentioned it. Same with going to bed, no particular regular order but I will look. There's no pecking between them and they are all as bad mannered as each other when it comes to hand feeding. There is one chicken, my Light Sussex that is very slightly more adventurous than the others, but she's happy to follow the others too. Great advice Skye and I will look closer, failing that they may have achieved Chookopia! T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordelia Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 I would say Agatha chicken is top dog (chicken) and the rest of us find our place below !! (she pecks at the other two if they dont follow her, or go off and do their own thing...same thing we all get too..including cats and dog) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
