So many of our common idioms issue forth from the social hierarchy of the chicken pecking ordering : We call a loss leader someone who “ rule the roost , ” and someone who has been reprimanded as having been “ henpecked . ” But as chicken keepers , how well do we know this intricate and complex societal structure that our birds live and sail every day ?
It behooves you to get to know your fauna as mortal , if possible , and as societal creatures in worldwide . The more we know about how our birds ’ lives are structure , the better keeper we can be .
The Importance of Pecking Order
A fold is a social group of chicken , and the structure they use to organise themselves is commonly called a pecking order . Each and every extremity of the flock falls somewhere on the spectrum of ascendence , and none are left out . The most predominant boo are higher in the pecking order and receive privilege , such as choicenesting boxes , first admission to food for thought and water , and mating right . Submissive birds naturally fall lower on the pecking Holy Order . The hierarchy of a flock of volaille is fluid and can change as birds age or die or are removed , born or otherwise added to the flock .
Alpha Rooster
In a mixed - sex flock , the males will typically vie for the top smirch , which is normally call thealpha . If there is only one cock in a flock of biddy , he will likely take the dominant position if he has reached sexual maturity date . Flocks with more than one male person will often see consistent battles between the turncock for dominance , unless they ’re give more space , more hens or heap of their own .
On average , one rooster can adequately look out over , care for and mate with a mess of between 10 to 15 hens . In larger flocks with several roosters — think 30 - plus bird — males will naturally make their own smaller flocks within the larger group and will typically leave other male person alone .
Alpha Hen
In a radical composed exclusively of hens , one prevalent female will establish herself as the alpha in the absence seizure of a cockerel . It ’s not unusual to notice several clearly dominant females in the second and third positions , as well . Younger doll are typically lower in the pecking order , and Old or more aggressive shuttlecock will rise to the top . As pullets ripen , they move their way of life up in the pecking Holy Order as some birds age and die — or are pick , litigate or removed .
Benefits—and Responsibilities—of the Top Chicken
As with any animal societal structure , being the alpha hen or cock has some advantages . Those grade highest in the pecking ordination have first pick on intellectual nourishment , access to the self-feeder and water fountain , first dibs on the best treats and preferred nest boxes , and preferent dust washup spots , just to name a few . predominant chickens routinely prompt the more submissive birds where they rank in the hierarchy by give admonition growls , steely glares and the occasional quite a little .
To the untrained eye , these may look like cruel acts , but do n’t worry : These behaviors are actually gentle reminders of each bird ’s place . Maintaining the pecking purchase order can sometimes appear uncivil and unforgiving . Some chicken keepers feel compelled to bump off or coddle the lowest ranking hoot — and I ’ll admit , I ’ve been drawn to the underdogs myself — but it ’s important to commemorate that a balanced pecking order is necessary for in truth harmonious living . When each razzing have it off where it stands in the society , the whole flock is mental object . Plus , if you were to take out the lowest - place bird , the next boo up the hierarchy would merely take its property at the bottom of the edict . Someone always has to bring up the rear end .
Normal or Cannibalistic Behavior?
In the loosest definition , cannibalistic chicken behaviorsinclude pick at or pecking other birds ’ various consistence character with the aggressor ’s beak . These behaviors range from very balmy ( a few pecks as a reminder of societal status , as mentioned earlier ) to severe , resulting in irreparable injury and demise . Egg eating is also considered cannibalistic and for certain a frustratingly risky wont for the chicken keeper to lot with , but it does n’t compromise the safety and health of a flock as other cannibalistic behaviors do .
gratefully , terrible cannibalistic behaviors are not to be expected in a vigorous , socially healthy chicken flock . With spacious living quarters that are innocent of rough , artificial lighting and abundant in fresh air and sun ; rich Ca supplements , solid food and water supply ; and clean housing , cannibalistic doings will be reduced , if not eliminated entirely .
Despite your best efforts , you might note some cannibalistic behaviors in the aftermath of a vulture plan of attack , the launching of Modern hens or the removal of older birds . Whatever the case , if you see cannibalism in action , it ’s critically important that you take it very earnestly .
chicken are ruthless about maintaining a inviolable social structure — after all , any weak , ill or injured birds will slow down the balance , build the intact great deal a target for predation or the spread of disease . To world , cannibalistic deportment can seem somewhat callous , but these conduct are their mean value for selection . It ’s only when conditions are inadequate that cannibalism can turn mortal . If you see or suspect cannibalistic behaviour in your flock , take action immediately . inquire the situation and fix the source : Is a hen wound or ill and now being target ? Are the chicken bore ? Is the hencoop too small ? Are newcomers struggle to desegregate ? rectify the situation by determining the cause of cannibalism .
Keeping the Peace
As a chicken keeper , your first priority is to set the degree for a peaceful flock environment . That might not be your intention , but creating coop and housing distance with the following requirements will keep social structure clean and honest and the chicken play to a lower limit .
Be intentional about how and when you introduce unexampled chicken to an existing pile . Every time a snort joins or leaves a flock , the pecking order is restore . Frequent additions or subtractions can get out the birds stress from all the shuffling , which may in turn lead to cannibalism .
This clause come out in the November / December 2015 issue ofChickens .
