Pecking Order

     When we first started keeping chickens I found it completely laughable that these birds, that run around my backyard mindlessly chasing bugs, maintain any kind of order within their flock. Now that we're a year or so into it I can tell you exactly where each of our 30 +/- chickens (I still haven't counted) belong within the chain of command. Pecking order, though it may seem harsh at times, is completely natural and necessary in maintaining happy chickens.
      If you're like us and have more than one rooster (we currently have five) than you'll notice that they establish a pecking order amongst themselves. Your hens will have their own order that doesn't involve the rooster (we'll talk about this in a minute). This determines who will be the flock guardian and the mate for the hens. Roosters are pretty scrappy and they will spur each other. Trust me you don't want to be in the middle of that, so stand back!  The less dominate roosters won't crow and they don't dare attempt any funny business with the girls. I'm not exactly sure how they determine who's in charge but, I can tell you size is not a factor. If you only have one rooster than he's automatically the king.

                                                   The Polish Top-Hat in the back is the
                                                   head honcho and the much larger Sussex
                                                   roo up front is lower in the pecking
                                                   order.

                                                    Tessa the Langshan is at the very bottom
                                                    of the totem pole.


  Now the hens will also establish a pecking order amongst themselves. This determines who eats and drinks first and who gets dibs on the best roosting spot. The girls will literally peck one another on the head or the back of the neck. You may notice them getting into small tiffs, but don't worry they usually don't last long and again this a necessary process. With that said, there are a few circumstances in which you should intervene...

• BLOOD/INJURY- If a chicken has been pecked or with roosters spurred to the point where blood has been drawn remove them from the flock. Keep them separate until they are healed. Obviously you don't want an injury getting infected, but also because the other birds will pick on the injured chicken, sometimes to death...literally. Chickens show no mercy!
• NOT EATING- If you notice that one of your chickens is losing weight, they may not be getting a turn at the feed and/or water. Some birds are just so submissive they can't muster up the courage to push their way to the feeder. In this case I would remove them, nurse them back to health, and then return them to the flock to try again.
• SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR- Again this is because a bird is very submissive and won't fight for a spot on the roost. Some chicken keepers may not think this is a big deal, but I don't like my birds sleeping on the floor and especially not in the nest boxes. This is a problem we personally have addressed within our flock. Chickens keep warm at night by huddling together on the roost, so a bird alone on the floor is going to be cold, and depending on the weather could die. As for sleeping in the nest boxes well, its just gross! I don't want poop on my egg the next day! To correct the problem my husband would go to the coop after everyone was nestled in for the night and pick the girls up off the floor and set them on the roost. It takes a couple tries, but eventually they'll get up there on their own.

     We are constantly adding new birds to the flock and I can happily say we've never had any serious injuries or mishaps. For the most part your chickens will work everything out on their own. And once the pecking order is determined you'll have happy, orderly birds. Happy Homesteading!