GrannyTrish Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 Winnie is our older hen at around 2 and has been top of the pecking order. She's a bit bigger than Doris and Connie who are around 1. I've noticed over the past couple of days that Connie seems to be putting Winnie in her place now and again. Is it possible that as Connie is getting older the pecking order will change? Winnie gives in to Connie when it happens but could there be a time when she starts to put Connie in her place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 I have learned that pecking order can change by the minute. Weather, daylight, full moon, overflying birds... everything seems to have an effect. I currently have a rather complicated order in the garden. Ginger is below Picknick, Picknick is below Merel, Merel is below Ginger and Lipton just trundles along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrannyTrish Posted March 11, 2018 Author Share Posted March 11, 2018 Oh, I didn't realise the pecking order could change like that! I thought that top hen would soon tell the others who's boss if they tried to take over the position. You live and learn right enough. Thanks, Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 My pecking order changed as soon as the younger Pekins were introduced. Gemma, the oldest, used to be above Polly and Zoe but now Gemma and Polly are both lower than the younger ones and Zoe is above them. I have no idea who is top chook any more. I really did expect Gemma and Polly to rule over the others. Spring also makes them a bit cranky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 7 hours ago, Luvachicken said: Spring also makes them a bit cranky. That definitely too! And louder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrannyTrish Posted March 12, 2018 Author Share Posted March 12, 2018 15 hours ago, Luvachicken said: My pecking order changed as soon as the younger Pekins were introduced. Gemma, the oldest, used to be above Polly and Zoe but now Gemma and Polly are both lower than the younger ones and Zoe is above them. I have no idea who is top chook any more. I really did expect Gemma and Polly to rule over the others. Spring also makes them a bit cranky. I can understand how introducing new chooks would change the pecking order, but I got the three of them together. Winnie definitely isn't top chook now, poor thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Maybe, over the winter, they all relaxed and were equal, now spring is on the way one of the ones that was lower has decided that now is her chance. PET also makes them cranky - Pre Egg Tension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrannyTrish Posted March 12, 2018 Author Share Posted March 12, 2018 2 hours ago, Luvachicken said: Maybe, over the winter, they all relaxed and were equal, now spring is on the way one of the ones that was lower has decided that now is her chance. PET also makes them cranky - Pre Egg Tension No, Winnie was definitely top of the pecking order until a few days ago. I'm so fascinated by their behaviour and I see wee changes all the time. Last week Winnie started running to me hoping for food and today the other two are following her but not quite as fast as she is - yet! PET! I hope it's that. I want eggs! I tried them on kale today for the first time. They pecked at it then spat it out, lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 1 hour ago, GrannyTrish said: I tried them on kale today for the first time. They pecked at it then spat it out, lol! When mine used to go around the garden I wanted to plant it up with some begonias. I offered them the begonias and they turned their noses up at them. I planted them all around the garden and the next day they ate them all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrannyTrish Posted March 12, 2018 Author Share Posted March 12, 2018 Well, they've cut their beaks off to spite their faces cos DH would have planted kale if they'd eaten it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
