Individual attributes as predictors of social status in small groups of laying hens

Abstract

Physical characters (weight, feather colour, comb size and comb colour) were investigated as predictors of social status (dominance, aggression and social interactiveness) in four groups of laying hens. In one group there was a significant positive correlation between comb colour and dominance. In a second group there were significant positive correlations comb size and aggression and comb size and interactiveness. In a third group there was a significant positive correlation between body weight and interactiveness. No significant correlations between any measured physical characters and social status were found in the fourth group. The lack of correlational evidence across all groups suggests that social status is not determined by simple morphological characteristics but that the mechanisms involved are more complex.