PECKING ORDER!

[City Farmer Jim]

I at a loss about what happened to my head hen. The last week my head hen seemed to be ostracized from the roost, she would sleep in front of a nest box which seemed odd and I didn't think to much about it. I came home for lunch today and found her dead in our free range front yard. I went through the Ring video and saw what seemed to be the 3rd in command (I call the head hens closest buddy 2nd in charge and 3rd in charge the INFORCER) seemingly attacking her and can here muffled sounds like they are fighting. Is that a "normal" thing to happen. I have never seen my girls fight what so ever.

 

[GlicksChicks]

She was likely sick. Definitely with her being head hen, there had to be something to cause this.

Sick birds don't always show it to us, but other chickens can spot it. And birds lower in the pecking order will take advantage of that.

I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[City Farmer Jim]

I'm going to say you are probably correct. No outward signs of being sick but some different behaviors for her. She was the oldest hen in our flock and up until a week or two ago was in the center of the roosting space. Then she shifted slightly off center and last week she was not on the roost at all...relegated to a two tier nesting box setup that has perches on it. I guess we are not in "tune" with our girls as we thought we were. We have cameras in the coop, runs and most places they go.

 

[GlicksChicks]

I'm going to say you are probably correct. No outward signs of being sick but some different behaviors for her. She was the oldest hen in our flock and up until a week or two ago was in the center of the roosting space. Then she shifted slightly off center and last week she was not on the roost at all...relegated to a two tier nesting box setup that has perches on it. I guess we are not in "tune" with our girls as we thought we were. We have cameras in the coop, runs and most places they go.

I am thinking my oldest roo is getting close to that stage. He has been staying away from the flock unless they are eating. He lounges around all day and doesn't breed. I have to put him up on the perches some nights.