Cube mk2 and WIR

[Tony]

Can all chickens be equal or are some chickens always more equal than others?

 

I have four girls and in my Omlet gallery I've put them in the order I Think they are. However this is based on their tameness and boldness at coming forward when I get the treats out.

 

I have sat and watched them for hours and hours, nothing unusual there! Thing is I have never seen them fight, squabble, peck or even so much as look each other funny. None seem to have priority when it comes to feeding or drinking, none seem to be submissive to any other. They all bathe together, eat drink and sleep together but don't necessarily follow each other or anyone specific around the garden, each doing it's own thing if it wants.

 

They all seem to live in perfect 100% harmony and are a picture of friendliness toward each other.

 

My question is, does there have to be a pecking order or can all chickens in a small flock be equal?

 

They're around 24 weeks.

[Geoid]

They are all friends, so the wont fight etc, although, someone has to be boss

 

 

And whats with the quote from "Animal Farm"?

[menagerie]

Mine are pretty good - I couldn't tell you what the pecking order is if there is one. They seem quite happy eating together and who gets most depends on who likes the food best - Sandie wins on nectarines but Henriatta wins on raisins!

[arowland17]

we only have 2 but there has never been any fighting between them they are best of friends and go round the garden together all the time - Buttercup is definitely boss though, she was first out the eglu when they arrived and is always first to explore, then Nugget follows

[Tony]

They are all friends, so the wont fight etc, although, someone has to be boss

 

So how does one tell if there are no obvious signs?

 

And whats with the quote from "Animal Farm"?

 

I glanced out the window today and saw them and both ducks all sitting in a circle talking and nodding to each other. When they see me looking they all broke away and started scratching about innocently

 

It's just something that sprang to mind while I was watching them and trying to work out who the boss was.

[Tony]

I couldn't tell you what the pecking order is if there is one.

 

Exactly word for word what I said to my wife today while watching them which is what prompted my question.

 

I'm not complaining, it's better than having them ripping each others feathers out. It'd be nice to know though just so you know which one to negotiate eggs or the lack of with

[Helen&Lee]

Found this really interesting as I have been wondering the same thing over the past few days.

My Gingernut is the first in and first out the cube, for the rest of them their order in and out varies on a daily basis.

However when you watch them together she really doesn't seem at all dominant.

If fact the Black Brahma is the one that might give the others a quick peck here and there and the Pepperpot is the one that lets you know shes there!

I think in a few weeks it might be more obvious - maybe when eggs start arriving they will settle down more?

 

Helen

[Leicester_H]

And whats with the quote from "Animal Farm"?

 

Do you mean 'All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others ' ?

[Jules.]

my girls are never far away from each other

[Hen Watch]

Mine were all equal at first. Pecking order bullying started the day a new chook arrived. Then it died down as she was at the bottom of the pecking order and the other 3 were all equal at the top.

 

Now months later, it's all changed and there is a definate 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th order. Henny is definately top girl, followed by Amber the other Gingernut. Then the Miss Pepperpot and lastly the new girl. Henny gets to the treats bowl first, pushes the others out of the way and is first to "bawk" loudly at cats which makes the others join in.