I went out to the girls at quarter to six this morning as I couldn’t wait any longer. I opened the little coop and this time the new girls came out straight away.
This morning the new girls came straight out
I threw some sunflower hearts into the new part of the run to encourage them to go out there.
They headed straight through the hatch
They like sunflower hearts
Once the seeds were gone Butterscotch returned to the small, familiar, part of the run but Speckles went the full length of the run.
Suddenly Peaches, Barley and Speckles were having a go at each other through the wire.
Now it’s Peaches and Barley’s turn
They had their chests puffed out and their ruffs raised but there was no pecking. It was short lived and Peaches and Barley were the first to break away.
It is always the top and bottom girls that do this. The top hen wants to keep her status and the bottom hens look for a chance to move up the pecking order. It is funny how even in this behaviour Peaches and Barley are, as always, together.
I think that butterscotch will go straight in at the bottom of the pecking order. She has bothered none of the girls and they haven’t bothered her. It will be interesting to see where Speckles ends up in the pecking order. I think she will go well up and may even contest Topaz for top position. Topaz has never had a girl stand up to her before so her beak is being put out of joint at the moment. She was very vocal about the situation yesterday.
The girls haven’t taken any further notice of each for the rest of the day. I think by the weekend I may get them together.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
I laughed at that picture of Peaches and Barley vs Speckles. I think you’re right that Butterscotch will assume the bottom rung, and probably couldn’t care less. Speckles should be harder to tell, but I think she’ll be up on the rung of chicken ruling. With Sparkle gone, were there any fights for the #2 spot?
After Sparkle Honey just took over second place. The order stayed the same but when I first had Honey she was in bottom place. As new girls have come she has risen up and was third behind Sparkle. Now she only has Topaz above her but that may change with Speckles. There has been no challenge yet between them though.
I know are you are going to enjoy all this. You do like a drama ? .. Any challenge .
I know that Clover has always been my top chick but there does not seem to be any other top girl although as you know Bonny getting old has slipped a bit .
I find it all so interesting .
I too find it all very interesting. I am interested to see where Speckles ends up. This afternoon the two lots have all been sitting in the sun and chilling.