Pecking order - what is normal?

[Bigbluefrog]

So can we talk about pecking order? What is normal and what is considered okay to leave alone and when you need to take action.
I have seven 12 week old chickens. I believe one is a male and one is a hen but not positive on the mixed Dominique.
Dominique hen or rooster is named Woody. He reached over another hen to peck at Honey( our New Hampshire Red hen).
I thought nothing of it til I heard a squawk! She was very loud. So I pulled up a chair to watch them. And this Woody kept reaching over the other hen to peck at this hens back.
This happened while they were settling down to roost.
It happened several times.
So I reached up and grabbed Woody and put him or her in the chicken spare coop... alone.
Then watched the birds settle and peace was present.
Woody was not happy to be alone.
I am curious should I have left them alone and let the birds work it out or was this something a bit more and I should separate the trouble maker.
I handled all the chicks when little but now I don’t. I feed them and take care of the coop. They are like teenagers glad to see me but no hugs mom!

Pecking order, I have read a little on it. I lack experience in this odd pecking order.
When is it more?
I have one Red that has been reluctant to go into the coop at night.
I will observe them more tomorrow. Let Woody out of jail and see how it goes free ranging.
I thought pecking order is a quick peck to show dominance. Not to hurt the other hen but to show hierarchy.
Woody seemed determined to hurt this hen. And it was causing quite a ruckus in the night time roosting.

I probably should get a book!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It's important to know if Woody is a male or female. Sometimes young males just like causing problems.

The smaller the space, the more you will see dominance pecking. Usually a bird gets a look first. If it doesn't move it's followed by a peck or two. The pecked bird often squawks loudly, and should run off or at least move.

Excessive pecking can mean there isn't enough resources. Anything from feeding stations to roost choices.

I usually leave stuff alone here because my birds can get away from each other. I will sometimes pen up young roosters if they are making troubles as they mature.

Bottom birds are sometimes loners or they pal up with other bottom birds, and they may stick to the coop more. It's important to provide places for them to get away or hide if necessary.

 

[DobieLover]

That was normal pecking order behavior. It can actually get worse than that.
Woody did not want Honey that close and was trying to make her move to another spot.
Sometimes feathers are pulled out of stubborn subordinates.
Sometimes subordinates stuff half their bodies under the dominant next to them to protect their heads.
You can watch but you should just leave them to it.
It is not at all uncommon for squabbling and screaming to be involved at roost time. It can get rough.

 

[Folly's place]

You have cockerels and pullets, juveniles, not adult roosters and hens.
There will be pecking episodes out there, which should not cause injuries, or scare a chick into hiding away from flockmates for any length of time.
Space, more than one feeder and waterer, and things to do, all matter out there.
What are the dimensions of your coop? Run space? Activities?
So far things seem normal, but you do have to watch developments. If you do have a very aggressive chick, separation for a while may help.
Mary

 

[slordaz]

I usually draw the line and send em to chicken jail if blood is drawn, it's usually best to let them go through their pecking order stuff left alone so they get through it faster. if one is put in Chicken jail or time out away from them, it's going to restart it when you reintroduce.

 

[Bigbluefrog]

It's important to know if Woody is a male or female. Sometimes young males just like causing problems.

The smaller the space, the more you will see dominance pecking. Usually a bird gets a look first. If it doesn't move it's followed by a peck or two. The pecked bird often squawks loudly, and should run off or at least move.

Excessive pecking can mean there isn't enough resources. Anything from feeding stations to roost choices.

I usually leave stuff alone here because my birds can get away from each other. I will sometimes pen up young roosters if they are making troubles as they mature.

Bottom birds are sometimes loners or they pal up with other bottom birds, and they may stick to the coop more. It's important to provide places for them to get away or hide if necessary.

Thanks for this information.
I would of loved to make my coop larger! This one is 6 feet by 7
And has 2 roosting boards. I have 4 nesting boxes but Only 2 are open.
The run is enclosed and always open to them. 8 by 12feet run.
I do feed with one water and one hanging. Then every morning I set out additional water and food in 2 other dishes. No issues with eating just roosting! They seem to want to all be on the far left. It is level and the rest of the roost is vacant. Each bird has a foot to roost. And an additional roost is untouched.

We got this coop from a friend. It is made well but honestly I would if preferred to build my coop.

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks for this information.
I would of loved to make my coop larger! This one is 6 feet by 7
And has 2 roosting boards. I have 4 nesting boxes but Only 2 are open.
The run is enclosed and always open to them. 8 by 12feet run.
I do feed with one water and one hanging. Then every morning I set out additional water and food in 2 other dishes. No issues with eating just roosting! They seem to want to all be on the far left. It is level and the rest of the roost is vacant. Each bird has a foot to roost. And an additional roost is untouched.

We got this coop from a friend. It is made well but honestly I would if preferred to build my coop.

What you described sounds like normal roost time behavior. Again, I would just observe and leave them to it.

 

[Bigbluefrog]

What if I made a t shape roost to add to coop? Make them the same height. Kind stuck this year with the coop. Next year I think I will build a full shed.

And use this coop for free ranging birds and auto door

 

[SueT]

Roost time wars can be alleviated by improvising some dividers on the roosts. You can make them out of various materials. The chickens get it right away, and appreciate the privacy.

 

[Bigbluefrog]

Thanks to everyone here that replied!
I appreciate the information! Woody was a bit shaky when I held him. I struggle with holding the birds now. They don’t seem to like it. Anyway I put him down and said follow me back to your friends... he did. I am kinda leaning to this one being a rooster.
And maybe building a larger coop next year. This year I could add a T shape roost.
The person who owned this coop had 12 in it. He also upgraded.