Tutti Frutti Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 I was just reading Sarah Sausage's post about her 2 separate flocks and it's raised a question in my head that I've often wondered but never asked! WHAT IS a normal level of pecking? And how long does it take to establish the pecking order? (oops sorry, 2 questions!) It's been nearly 2 months since we got the two ex-barn girls (kept apart for 3 weeks so merged together for 5) and Roxy is STILL having a pop at Tallulah... she'll use her beak to grab hold of a few feathers and not let go for a few milliseconds so Tallulah squawks and legs it and it results in a tug. I've seen Roxy pin her down once. I thought this was OK as no feathers are lost and no blood has ever been drawn. But is Tallulah unhappy being picked on? It's usually at treat/meal times and she's nervous and gives Roxy a very wide berth and cheeps at me (so I smuggle her up onto the shelf for secret sweets). I hope it's not all day. They seem to toddle around happily when I'm poo picking with them. Is Roxy a bully who needs a bumper bit? Will I ever get a peaceful flock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 To be honest, it depends on the individual chickens but what you are describing is quite common in a flock. The most dominant hen (ROXY) will keep all the other hens, especially the lowest (TALLULAH), in order and keep them in check. This happens all the time but mainly around food. When a cockerel is present in the flock, he does this and keep all the hens in check in the same way, Roxy is head of the flock and needs everyone to know it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted January 13, 2010 Author Share Posted January 13, 2010 Thank you! You are so right about the characters. People who don't know chooks won't appreciate that, it's like the four dwarves in my WIR! Tallulah is Bashful, Sophia is Happy, Ursula is Dopey and Roxy is Plain Grumpy, trying to keep them all away from her food and in order PS I'm snow white, of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 I put a similar post on earlier. Lola is definately top chook and can be quite nasty especially when there is food around and will peck or pull the others. She used to jump on top of Pipa until Pipa started shouting at her when she did it. My original three girls show very little agression so I think part of it is down to what the exes [batts/ barnies] have been through. As long as there is no blood drawn I have left them to get on with it. Lola has however in the last week started helping Lily with her moult by pulling her feathers out and eating them so she is now in solitary confinement until Lily gets anti peck sprayed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Maybe a dumb question but will the pecking order also change depending on moult and other circumstances? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 I think it does. Lily is second in command but is moulting at the moment so not her usual bolshy self at all. Coco who is last in the pecking order is definately taking advantage of this and taking food of her when usually she keeps out of Lily's way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Maybe a dumb question but will the pecking order also change depending on moult and other circumstances? it changed with my lot when rusty started to lay in December she has moved up the order but I don't think it'll last when the other 2 start to lay she was bottom girl now she's no.3 most of the time she thinks she's high than that so gets 'slapped' by Big Red every now and then just to keep her in line Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
