The Truth About Chicken Pecking Orders and Social Behavior

When someone tells you where you stand in a pecking order, they are allocating you a place in a hierarchy. You may not be happy about it, but at least you know your place! Dominance hierarchies are not just found in chickens, but these birds gave rise to the term ‘pecking order. ’ This article dives into the science of chicken social dynamics. It’s fascinating from a scientific standpoint, but it is also important from a practical point of view, especially if you want to maintain a flock of chickens in perfect harmony.

Our Understanding of Chicken Dominance Hierarchies

Dominance hierarchies were first described in chickens in 1913 by T. Schjelderup-Ebbe, a Norwegian biologist who had started observing chicken behavior when he was just six years old. He was the first to use the phrase “pecking order,” and it later entered into more general use. The term describes a pattern of dominance and subordination among members of a group. Since then, researchers have recognized and studied hierarchies in a diverse range of animals, including whales, insects, and primates.

This is not an abstract scientific concept. Power structures, conflict, and competition are inherent in human society, and so we can’t help but be fascinated by it. What’s more, the pecking order affects nearly all aspects of a hen’s everyday life. Understanding pecking orders is vital for those working with chickens in any capacity. Appreciating how they work can help you raise a happy flock.

The closest living wild relatives of domesticated chickens are the red junglefowl. These birds live in small groups of varying compositions, which are very unlike the living arrangements of modern-day domestic birds. That said, red junglefowl do exhibit dominance hierarchies with dominant males exerting authority over subordinates.

The Role of Pecking

By observing a group of animals, you can infer the social rank of an individual. Chickens use pecking as a way of displaying their social status, so by watching who is pecking whom, you can figure out the social hierarchy. From early studies, it was established that there are hen ‘despots’ who can peck all other hens. At the other end of the scale were the hens that were pecked by all the other birds. This gives rise to the term ‘hen pecked’, which we use to refer to a downtrodden individual.

Pecking behavior is defined as one hen pecking at another, pulling out feathers, causing distress, and sometimes puncturing the skin. Open wounds can lead to blood loss and infection and may even result in cannibalism. Pecking is often targeted at the victim’s head, back, or vent. Pecking can be accompanied by ruffled necks, staring, and chest bumping.

While it may seem like an entirely negative phenomenon, the pecking order does serve a purpose that every bird ultimately benefits from. The purpose of the behavior is the survival of the flock. By having a pecking order, the birds can coexist as a group, and being part of a group affords protection from predators. It reduces the need for constant power struggles and competition – each bird knows where they belong.

Chicken Social Order

At the top of the pecking order is the lead hen. She is the boss of the flock and can peck all other hens. She is also responsible for finding food and maintaining order. Next come the middle-ranking hens, and among their ranks, there are subtle and incremental layers of dominance. Finally, there is the bottom hen or group of hens. They are the last to access food and never get the best roosting spots. That does not mean that they starve. In a well-structured flock, they will simply have to wait a while to get a meal.

Roosters participate in the pecking order and often rank above hens, but their dominance and role in the hierarchy can vary depending on the flock. In many flocks, a rooster will be at the top of the social order, alerting hens to food sources and maintaining order within the flock.

Establishing a Pecking Order

As soon as the flock is assembled, the process of establishing a pecking order will begin. If the hens are raised together from chicks, a pecking order will emerge gently and gradually. It is the naturally bold and brave chicks that begin to dominate the rest. During adolescence, there may be some minor squabbles, but by the time the chicks grow their first set of juvenile feathers, the pecking order is usually established. However, it will not necessarily stay in place.

What Destabilizes a Pecking Order?

Larger flocks are typically more problematic when it comes to pecking orders. In flocks of under 20 birds, pecking orders are relatively stable. Each hen has its own personality. Dominant, confident hens are generally higher up the pecking order, while more laid-back hens are lower. However, if you have a flock full of assertive hens, conflicts may be more frequent. In general, the lighter chicken breeds are more dominant than the heavier breeds. When a new hen, especially a younger one, is added to a flock, they can expect to start at the bottom. Confrontations can occur as they climb up the pecking order. Research on flocks has shown that instability is also triggered by breeding, rehousing, and the absence of a male.

Handling Pecking Order Problems

Often, a flock will sort out its own pecking order issues, especially if a rooster is present. Sometimes, however, human intervention is required. Many problems can be avoided by using proper integration methods, such as keeping your new birds visible to the flock while keeping them safe. Sick birds are viewed as weak and will be picked on, so they need to be quarantined. Hens that are clearly bullies should also be separated from the flock. Hens who are clearly bullies should also be quarantined. A lot of issues can be avoided by providing plenty of space, feeders, waterers, roosts, and nesting boxes. Finally, be aware that most issues arise just after hens are added or removed from the flock, so this is when you should be most vigilant.

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