[Miss Ellie]

We've had our chickens since 7 weeks old and still are unable to tell who's the 'top hen' in charge. They have odd times of squaring up to each other bit nothing for sure. Do we need to wait until they start laying? They are 18 weeks this weekend - nearly egg time. Is i t the first one to go to bed that calls 'em in or is she just in need of more beauty sleep . . . like me!!

[happychickens]

If there is any bother then one will always come to the front, I have found its only when they are too dominant that I have to stop them pecking and pulling at themselves.  Mine go to bed in generally quite specific orders with two first then upto an hour later the rest over about ten minutes, just think its there preference

[dizzylizzie]

we have been owned by 6 chickens since saturday. we were a bit worried as cornflake appeared to have taken on the roll of top chuck, going for anyone who dared to eat/drink/have a treat/try a new perch or anythig else before her. we were a bit worried because its not nice to watch, but everyone said it was normal...things settled down and we thought ' oh that was easy'! O.M.G how wrong we were....there have been riots today...unrest in the camp dosent begin to discribe it...mutiney and murder is more like it! we nare preparing our selfs for bloodshed tomorrow . maybe they havent established top dog yet...maybe you have all the fun still to come, or maybe because they have lived together since little, the pecking order is a calmer affair....someone who actually knows what they are talking about will be along in a while to give you proper advice . good luck with them anyway x

[Miss Ellie]

Oh dizzylizzie it certainly sounds like you're having fun! Good luck with it and hopefully no blood will be seen. We keep thinking oh it must be . . .  that's top chuck and then something happens and we change our mind. We do know who's bottom of the pile - our 'special needs' bantam - she's so slow bless her it takes a while to sink in what's happening then the others are all on to the next thing! Aren't they great though - definately life changing and timewasting too!! Have fun!!

[SMD66]

our first hen to bed isn't the top one in the pecking order, just likes her sleep I think.  You will spot the top hen usually when giving treats, she will be the one trying to peck the others so that she can have it all!

[joyfull]

then those that have just been pecked will peck those below them 

[viettaclark]

My 3 are usually quite well behaved although Phyllis is definitely top hen then Bluebel[l then Lulu. Some quite nasty pecking (no actual contact) occured in the garden yesterday while I was giving them some greens. I wish I'd had a camera! There was Lulu squashed to the ground by Bluebell on her back. then Phyllis on the top. A real chicken sandwich!! ][/b]

[nimue4]

LOL yeah treat time tells all. Edwina Curry is our top hen, just swivels round to push the others out of reach of my hand with the corn. she's also the smallest and the one that comes to be picked up and cuddled.