AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The pecking order is, literally, determined by pecking. Bigger, stronger, and more aggressive chickens bully their way to the top of the flock by pecking the others into submission with their pointy beaks. First they strut about, fluff their feathers, and squawk, but if that doesn’t get the point across, they peck.

Detailed explanation-2: -Serious pecking is often a sign of high stress, boredom, sickness or overcrowding. Although there will always be a natural pecking order in your flock, there are ways to prevent your birds from seriously hurting each other. One thing’s for sure – DO NOT debeak your chickens.

Detailed explanation-3: -Perhaps the most humane way to do this is to show dominance similarly to how you’d train a dog. For chicken domination, at first sign of attack, reach down, grab the bird by the feet, turn it upside down-ignore the squawking-and tuck it under your arm like a football.

Detailed explanation-4: -Chickens are naturally inquisitive, but they don’t have arms and hands to inspect things. They use their beaks to explore instead. So, why do chickens peck each other? Pecking is a natural chicken behavior that allows them to check out their surroundings, including their flock mates.