Flock roles: Who rules your roost?
Every backyard bird flock has a unique dynamic and the phrase, “pecking order” could not be more suitable to describe the hierarchy that develops with chickens in a particular flock. Every flock has several positions that members of the flock assume, but those can change when new birds join the coop.
The rooster, if you have one, is always the head of the hen house. He is in charge, protective of his girls and will usually alert others to danger, even sacrificing himself if need be. He’s a knight in shining feathers and most roosters take this position seriously.
Roosters pick and choose their favorite hens regardless of where the hens fall in the overall pecking order. They will settle disagreements among the hens, but they can also be the source of unease in the coop if they dislike one of the hens.
The head hen is usually easy to identify. She is often the most confident, healthy and smart hen in the group. You will often see her leading the flock when the hens free-range and they follow her lead when she decides where they will go next.
The head hen is the first to come running for food and often has a dominant attitude. She is often the last to enter the coop at night, making sure the rest of the flock gets in safely. Consider her the vice president to the rooster’s president. She will step up and keep order if there is no rooster.
Additionally, if your flock is only made up of hens and you add a rooster, the dynamics can dramatically change. The head hen will most likely be challenged by the rooster for her position as the leader and the entire order of all the hens can be shaken up. The head hen could end up at the low end of the pecking order after he starts running the show.
Additional positions
If there is no rooster in a flock, the second in command hen will assume the role of the sentinel. The sentinel is concerned with the safety of the flock and often watches the sky and the surrounding area for predators.
She will sometimes find an elevated spot to give her a better vantage point, prepared to sound the alarm. If she gives the predator alert, it will communicate to the rest of the flock where the threat is so they can hide.
The bottom of the pecking order is the least desirable position. This often goes to the most submissive hen, either due to their personality, size, health or even just because they are a different breed from the rest of the group. The chicken lowest on the totem pole can be bullied by the rest of the group and sometimes injured. Pay special attention if the hens are ganging up on one hen, she may need to be separated.
I often compare the relationships in a backyard flock to high school girls. There are strong bonds between certain hens, and there is extreme animosity between others. Some hens are jealous or catty to their coop mates, some want the attention of the rooster and some just want to roost in peace without drama.
No matter how you look at it, every chicken has a unique personality, and their behavior is fascinating to observe. Yes, they can be mean girls at times, but their egg production and entertaining antics also provide dinner and a show!
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].
