Social discrimination in small flocks of the common domestic fowl.

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Abstract
Two small flocks of white Leghorn chickens (one flock containing 3 cocks and 7 hens, the other 4 cocks and 9 hens) were observed in 2 social situations: In the pens, and in a social discrimination situation. Here 2 animals were placed in wire cages separated by about 10 ft., within a larger cage, and a 3d animal released in midline; the discrimination is considered in favor of one of the 2 caged animals if the discriminating animal pauses within 1 ft. of the cage. The relations between social orders determined on the basis of this discrimination cage (a paired comparisons technique) and those detd. on the basis of "pecking-orders" in the pens were observed. It is concluded that "neither cocks nor hens, as a group, discriminate to the social position, per se, of individual cocks or hens," and that "discriminations were notably influenced by individual differences which indicated that the birds acted and reacted according to individuality and to former pair-contact experiences.".

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