Yesterday Amber and Honey continued to stay out of each others way. For the very first time when I took in some spinach Honey chased Amber away. I have never seen Amber run from Honey before she usually gives Honey a warning peck over the treats.
Maybe Honey really has moved up the pecking order. I wonder if it will last but she has certainly won this battle.
Amber’s pecked comb
Now that the blood has dried you can see a row of peck marks on Amber’s comb. Her comb had been looking so good recently and now it’s battered again. I feel so sorry for her.
As the day went on Amber continued to stay out of Honey’s way. I have never seen this with these two before. At bedtime the line up was exactly the same as the night before. Amber and Honey were on separate perches and Emerald joined the girls on the perches again.
The bedtime line up
It seems that this time Amber and Honey’s battle has really changed things between them.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
It is sad but the way of things. As we have commented between us before , if you had a big flock the changes and bullying would not be so obvious.
I think once honey has established that she has told amber that she has won things will settle.
You are right of course. I think before Amber has always stayed on top so it’s all quickly forgiven but this time she hasn’t stayed on top and has had her beak put out of joint. Chickens don’t bear grudges so I am sure they will settle back to normal in time. I know we shouldn’t put human emotions on them but the pecking order is such a vital and complicated thing.
More you look at chickens and the pecking order especially if you have worked in a big company ..the more you realise how like people they are .