Chicken bald back

[Coolz]

Bit of an essay but please bear with me.. So the first week and a bit has gone really well. The girls like me ('Mealworm lady!'), they like their free ranging spots, come running when I'm with them ('Corn lady!') and don't cower from me anymore when I get in the run with them. They've settled in well into their new home, new routine and are laying regular eggs. Whilst I lack the experience with hens (and birds overall), I think it's gone this well as I spent a year preparing and reading.The research has been a major advantage but I do know there are a lot of things that aren't written. You can explain the general behaviour but mainly for the "average" population. Like cats for example, I'm in the down-low with them and I know there's things they don't write down in the "care books" that you can only learn through the experience.

 

My query is about behaviour. In a previous post I mentioned Nuggets had been quiet. In week one she went from boss to bottom in the space of a day and went from being all perky and cocky to being sullen. I had watched her and she was eating, pottering and laying well but was noticeably quiet and a bit "down". I felt her all over and checked but couldn't find any pests, swellings etc.. The others would chook, scratch and explore and she would sit on the outside of their little circle like a little kid watches the cool dudes playing - even when they got corn or mealworms.. Nugs would just sit there and look a bit lost, then start wandering off to eat bugs. But when they wanted to dust bath together, perch together or just chill - they'd all do it together with no qualms or disputes.

 

Nugs spent a week in this miserable state and I was starting to think maybe that's just how she was going to be but today I came home from work, collected the eggs (2!!) and assessed who'd done the laying - the 2 white speckled bottoms told me it was Nugs and Pandora. She was noticeably more perky.. she was being a bit more the cheeky self she was when we first brought them home. Pan seems okay with her and she does seem to respect Pandora's authority a little more than Lois but generally, Pan is quite a chilled boss lady. Lois on the other hand seemed to be getting her handbags out about how close Nugs was getting whilst they foraged. I sprinkled some mealies and corn for them to nibble and scratch at and was surprised to see Nuggets getting on in there on the meal worm actions. Lois was a bit flappy about that but seemed to tolerate it.

 

Why is Pan the boss but so apparently chilled about the goings on and Lois being all uppity about Nuggets? I have to say I was relieved to see her cheeky side coming out again but I'm worried if Lois is the source of the problem that Nugs might dip down into being miserable again, I love seeing her cheeky. Is Pan just so clearly the boss she doesn't need to stomp about constantly like the madam Lois is.. Or is this purely just a settling in period and they might just need more time to settle down and establish where they are? From what I had read, it said once they had established a hierarchy then it most likely stayed that way unless new birds were brought in where things might change. But I'm wondering is that the case or does it happen where occasionally they do change.. not like an endless battle for authority but sometimes the defences get tested and mutiny is called?

 

I have placed an extra feeder down (so glad I got cheap spares!) and try to distribute treats more so Nugs has more of a chance to nibble without Lois being a greedy hog about it. I've watched Pan and I don't think I've ever see her being aggressive. I know she had a peck at Nuggets when they were in the house but that was early days and I think they were establishing who got the best perch inside, since then she's been good to her. But she does have a 'bestie' relationship with Lois!

 

Though don't read this as though I'm cross with Lois.. I'm not at all, I love how different all their personalities, quirks and traits are and that I'm starting to tell them apart easily without looking at their leg rings.

 

I'm just a sucker for the underdog in any situation.. That's how we ended up with an unwanted Bengal x domestic kitten as he was too much of a handle for the owners (he just needed to know who was boss - me!, have some proper play and hunting time) but has now turned into a fantastic 'old man' who is just so well behaved, affectionate and the best hunter I've ever seen in any cat. We got Snowy at 6 months because she had 3 legs and no one wanted her because she hopped like a rabbit but turned into an amazing lady who we sadly lost at 6 due to cancer. We got Scampi because no one wanted her because she didn't like people and was skittish - all she needed was time and patience and now she begs us for combing and fuss.. she's still skittish at times but it's external factors that cause it and the loss of Snowy (her rock) did bring her down for a while. We got Jasper because no one wanted him as he was so nervous, timid and fearful. He wasn't mistreated, it was just his character. He needed time, patience, distraction and direction and he's now a much happier dog. He's still nervous of people and dogs but we know how to distract him (the ball) and channel it elsewhere. So I seem to have a massive weakness for the underdogs and the 'un-wanted'! Despite the fact I thought I had chosen 3 outgoing girls who all were healthy and full of hen goodness.

 

Does everyone have an under-dog in their flock who, well maybe isn't miserable but is noticeably the outcast/bottom of the pack/last in line?

[Olly]

Crikey! I think I've followed that ... not sure if this answers your questions but here are a few observations :

(1) every flock will have a 'top' hen and a 'bottom' hen

(2) this can change if the overall flock dynamic changes

(3) 'bottom' hen (let's call her BH!) is as important to the flock as 'top' hen. It may look miserable to us, but they know where they stand and since they don't have human emotions, they are not hiding in the nestbox sobbing 'why does everyone hate me', they are just getting on with it

(4) it's normal for BH to eat last after the others have eaten

(5) top hen knows she's the boss, and rarely needs to assert herself. Middle hens are in a less comfortable position - they know they could become BH at any point. It's in their interests to keep BH in her place by shouting, nipping and generally warning off.

(6) try picking BH up against her will, or even freeing her when she's stuck in the Omlet netting and top hen will be shouting the odds, pecking your ankles and generally telling you to leave her friend alone, thereby proving that even though they treat her like a pariah, she's still one of the flock!

[mollyripkim]

Would agree with everything Ollie has said. When I introduced some new girls it was interesting that it was the lower ranking girls that caused the most fuss presumably not to end up further down the pecking order whilst top girl just gave an odd peck here and there which the new girls seemed to accept.

[The Dogmother]

It's as Olly has said above; while their social hierarchy is fascinating, it doesn't pay to anthropomorphise it and apply human emotions to the dynamics - they just don't work like that. Unless a bird is being bullied mercilessly, and injured, I would leave it alone.

[Coolz]

Oh I never said I would remove her or anything, I was just generally interested in why Lois was such a madam about it. Hope Nugs keeps her cheeky attitude a little!

 

Yes I've noticed Pan is defensive of all 3 if she thinks something is a foot, for example if Scampi trots by, it's like The Warden has been notified! It's really interesting to watch!

[mrsatroy]

Would agree with everything Ollie has said. When I introduced some new girls it was interesting that it was the lower ranking girls that caused the most fuss presumably not to end up further down the pecking order whilst top girl just gave an odd peck here and there which the new girls seemed to accept.

Definitely agree that when it comes to introductions the midlle and bottom girls are the most problematic. They view it as a way to move up the social ladder and therefore seem to go at the newbies handbags flying. Rosie, who I consider my top hen has never been mean or bossy to any newbies, she just ignores them, safe and secure in the fact that she is the boss.

[Coolz]

Thanks mrsatroy! Yeah I had read that bringing new hens in can lead to drawn handbags!

 

I was watching them last night and she's perked up remarkably. She's just the cheeky hen again like when we brought them home. She's more alert, she laid a lovely egg overnight last night and is just scampering about.. I was studying her and Lois and it appears Lois is insecure maybe as she kept warning Nugs and getting in a flap at time and Nugs would back off but Pandora was just mooching about minding her own business.

 

Just wondered if they changed structures in house or if it was only when new hens were introduced too.

[The Dogmother]

The pecking order is constantly adjusting as different criteria within the flock change; this is normal. Periods of stress like introductions, moulting or change in environment can lead to turmoil. This is why it's recommended to do gradual introductions.