Poultry pecking order: The elaborate social rank in a flock

Since chicken are social animals, there usually is within a flock, a social order that is a result of pecking order. That social order determines the position of each chicken within a flock.

The social order is established by means of pecking at each other, where one bird attains dominance by intimidating or getting the submission of the other.

Also see how to manage your chicken during molting.

What is a pecking order in poultry?

A pecking order is essentially a social hierarchy that determines the position of each bird in a flock.

A pecking order is not static. Rather, it changes over time based on other social factors within a flock. For instance, age, health, size and other factors can result to a change in social ranking.

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How is a pecking order established?

The manner in which a pecking order is negotiated, if at all, and established within a flock is complex.

Literally, chicken peck at each other, to find out or to establish their social ranking. Thus, the ranking itself is named after the behaviour through which it is established. Sometimes, a simple show of aggression without actual pecking or fighting suffices.

From human observation, it seems like poultry birds fight for positions high in the hierarchy, by attacking and seeking submission from other birds.

However, we cannot know for sure if this is just a simple struggle for power through dominance, or that an elaborate negotiation and politicking takes place.

What is clear though is that all birds do not have the same social standing. Instead, they rank somewhere within said hierarchy, which establishes their exact position in a flock.

Sometimes, the establishment or a pecking order, takes place after a power struggle involving actual aggression towards each other. For instance, this can be noted in a flock where two roosters or a number of them, fight for dominance. In such cases, the rooster(s) that is submissive to the other ranks lower in the pecking order.

The rooster that ranks highest in the pecking order becomes the leader in the flock. Such a rooster then earns or bears the right to crow in the morning to wake the flock up. Or so they say.

Among roosters, the pecking order also implies a breeding order. The lead rooster appears to have an undisputed lead when sexing hens. Furthermore, other roosters can only sex hens with the permission of the lead rooster, so to speak. This however, is only clearly observable in small flocks.

Do all poultry flocks have a pecking order?

A pecking order is easily noticeable in a small flock, say of upto 50 birds, give or take.

However, in a huge flock, a pecking order is not that straight forward. For example in a flock of a 1,000 birds, it is almost impossible to say there is a pecking order, leave alone identify any rank.

Moreover, in a huge flock of the same gender, say 1,000 female birds or broilers, especially the commercial breeds, a pecking order is hardly noticeable if at all.

Birds in commercial breeds are known to attack each other, but usually not in an attempt to establish a social hierarchy but in acts of cannibalism. As a result, beak trimming or debeaking is required in order to eradicate such behavior.

How to minimize aggression and injury

Sometimes, the establishment of a pecking order can involve prolonged fighting among birds in a flock. Consequently, this can result in actual injury to birds.

In order to minimize aggression and injuries in a flock, ensure that there is sufficient space for your birds in the coop. Overcrowding can contribute to birds aggression toward each other, injuries, and even cannibalism.

Moreover, you may have to step in, from time to time, may be even separate the birds involved in prolonged power struggle, for their own safety.

For a deep dive on poultry pecking order, checkout The Pecking Order: What is it and How to Avoid Problems in Your Flock by The Happy Chicken Coop.