AmandaR Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 I need some advice please from you wonderful people. I've been really today. Shadow (who seems to be about to lay any day now) has always been at the bottom of the pecking order with our 3 hens and all 3 have been getting along merrily the past few weeks. But...today Shadow has been viciously pecking Psycho - the middle hen. I always thought that if the pecking order had been established and that none of the hens are removed from the flock at any time, then the order wouldn't change?! Can anyone shed any light on what is going on please? I thought we were over all the nastiness Thank you in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 It may be just that she's coming into lay and asserting herself. Are the others already laying or is she the first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaR Posted May 12, 2007 Author Share Posted May 12, 2007 Hi Lesley, None of them are laying just yet but Shadow is starting to 'crouch' so we feel that eggs are imminent. Is this assertiveness at the point of lay usual then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Our pecking order was dependant upon who laid first. Florrie laid first - top chook. Fizz laid last so bottom chook. Pom and Bella started laying at the same time so still haven't quite decided who's second in command. Every now and again they have a real go at each other (funny because Bella is so much smaller than Pom). Never serious though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaR Posted May 12, 2007 Author Share Posted May 12, 2007 Ohhh...that's interesting! Shadow may go from being the bullied into the bully then! If laying does change things then it will be a complete shift around for our girls as Paisley was the first chook to arrive and asserted herself with the other two new arrivals as top chook but... it 'looks' as though she is going to be last to lay as her comb and wattles are still v. pink and so, she could end up being bottom chook soon. I feel we may have some interesting times ahead of us... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 I feel we may have some interesting times ahead of us... Chickens - never a dull moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaR Posted May 13, 2007 Author Share Posted May 13, 2007 Our disappointment of Shadow eased off today when she left us a little pressie...a perfectly formed egg! And she laid it in the 'right' place too! Clever girlie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 Oooo congratulations. Well done shadow!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
