The henhouse hierarchy: a real society in miniature

In a henhouse, nothing is really left to chance. If you take the time to observe its feathered inhabitants, you'll soon discover a well-organized little world, governed by complex and sometimes surprising social rules. Far from the image of the passive, guileless hen, they live by their own code: the pecking hierarchy.

A natural order... but a ruthless one

In hens, hierarchy is established very early on, sometimes from the very first days of life. This instinctive social ranking enables them to live in groups while avoiding constant conflict. Each hen knows her place: who eats first, who sleeps on the highest perch, who has the right to scratch in the best area of the garden.

The dominant hen - the “leader”, so to speak - is not necessarily the biggest or the oldest. She imposes her status by her behavior: confidence, presence, and sometimes a few well-placed pecks. The others bow to her... or challenge her.

And when there's a rooster?

The presence of a rooster considerably changes the social organization of the henhouse. It's often the rooster who dominates the group, even above the head hen. He acts as a guardian, a unifier, but also a tension regulator. His role is manifold:

• He ensures the group's safety, sounding the alarm if danger approaches.
• He calls the hens to eat, often by scratching the ground and emitting distinctive clucks.
• He intervenes in conflicts and sometimes imposes peace by his very presence.
• He keeps an eye on every interaction in the flock: nothing escapes him!

However, not all roosters are well-balanced. Some are gentle and protective, while others can become too aggressive towards both hens and humans. That's why it's essential to choose your rooster carefully and monitor his behavior.

When several roosters live together, things get more complicated. They also establish their own hierarchies, often through noisy and sometimes violent duels. Two or more roosters can coexist if the number of hens is appropriate. In this way, each rooster will have access to a few hens, avoiding injuries caused by frequent mating. Note that it's easier to get several roosters to cohabit when they've grown up together, as the hierarchy was established when they were young and less frisky.

Rules, codes and tensions

Hierarchy is expressed through sometimes highly visible behavior: a hen chasing another from the feeder, blocking its path or following it with her eyes, puffing up her feathers. These are symbolic gestures, but they can also become physical if the order is challenged.

When a new hen arrives, the balance is often upset. It's not uncommon to see a few arguments while each hen finds her place. Alliances and rivalries are formed, and roles are sometimes redistributed. Henhouse society is alive and constantly evolving.

How can we help them to live together peacefully?

Even if hierarchy is natural, the breeder can facilitate better understanding within the group. Here are a few simple gestures:

• Introduce newcomers gently, through a wire mesh for a few days.
• Increase the number of food and water points to avoid fights.
• Provide enough space, perches and quiet corners for each hen to isolate herself if necessary.
• Introduce the new hen(s) at night, when the other hens are at rest. Ideally, always introduce 2 or more hens to facilitate integration.
• Observe: if one of the new hens constantly isolates herself and doesn't feed, she should be temporarily protected with wire mesh or in a cage. It can take from a few hours to a few weeks to integrate the hens.

A miniature society... not so different from our own

What's fascinating about chickens is that their society, though very different from ours, functions according to universal social rules: respect for established order, power struggles, alliances, protection of the weakest, sometimes even empathy. Each individual is different and has his or her own personality.

To observe these dynamics is to enter a rich, complex world, often full of surprises. And the more we learn to understand them, the more we respect them.

Things to remember

• Hierarchy is natural in hens: it structures their social life.
• The rooster plays a key role: leader, protector, mediator.
• It manifests itself through discreet or visible behavior: posturing, pecking, chasing.
• It evolves according to changes in the group: new arrivals, departures, illnesses.
• The breeder can accompany these changes by providing space, observation and patience.