"Chickens of a feather flock together." I think that's how the old saying goes.
I have noticed this in my own flocks. And the bigger the flock and the more freedom (free range) the more apparent this becomes.
They do have their own groups within the flock. I think the temperment of the breed has something to do with the pecking order.
Chicken society can be pretty interesting to watch.

Agree with backlanelady. It's all about temperament from my flock. My Australorps are the biggest ladies but my Game Hens, who no way have their numbers or weight, are the top birds.

Interesting post! IÂve noticed the same thing. My one aruicauna is low on the pecking order.
A while ago I read about a study done in the 1950Âs or even 1930Âs, I think; I believe I got the article on Google Scholar. Researchers took out a dominant hen from a flock of layers then re-introduced her with some alteration to appearance (taped down comb, large artificial comb, some addition of feathers)ÂI canÂt remember all of it-- to see how others responded. I recall that the larger size of the comb gave the hen more dominance.
I have noticed this in my chickensÂamong our first chickens, 6 Red Star pullets, the one with the largest comb was dominate (sheÂs one of the two remaining). But our head hen does not have an especially large comb.
IÂd like to hear what others have observed!

Hmmm. Young chickens have very small, unapparent combs. Maybe the comb idea does have something to do with it. I have one adolescent hen. My barn coop is sort of L shaped and usually Chick-Chuck stays on one end of the L while the majority of the flock are on the other. She doesn't seem to get worked up when the Araucanas come over by her, but she'll jump right up on a roost if the others come. Maybe it's the comb.

Thanks for the ideas!

--Johanna

Here is a link that might be useful: See pictures of Chick-Chuck etc. at my blog

Hi, I'm new to raising chickens. I have 4 brown leghorns and 1 barred rock and 2 araucana. These chickens were given to me by 2 different people. Well my question is I'd like to get some chicks in the spring, can I get a different breed or should I stick with something I already have? The chickens I have now all seem to get along . Any help to this new-be would be appricated, Mabellyn