If your new to keeping chickens you may have already witnessed social drama in the chicken yard. Sometimes it can get ugly when a flock is establishing a pecking order, and it’s especially disturbing to watch when introducing new birds. I hope this article helps you better understand the social behavior among chickens. Once you learn how it all works, you’ll find your own clever ways minimize trouble.
Tips: Provide food and water in more than one place so the lower birds in the pecking order aren’t bullied. Don’t overcrowd the coop or yard, offer enough space, allowing weaker birds to escape to safety from the dominate ones.
What Is The Pecking Order And Why Is It Important?
The chicken is a social bird that enjoys the company of its flock. Many social animals work out a hierarchy, and the chicken is no exception. The hierarchy created is a means of attaining and keeping order. When referring to this ordered social structure in chickens, and sometimes other bird species, it is called the Pecking Order. Read Article