The Downfall of Spice

Ever since Spice was a little chick, she was born a leader. Spice made it very distinguishable at a young age that she was very confident and never feared or doubted her abilities as top hen. But recently I've been noticing a change in the flock. Spice no longer pecked at Charcoal when she got in her way. I was even more surprised when Charcoal even disrespectfully tried to confront Spice. My suspicion was that there was a change in the pecking order.

Lime tries to clean Spice's beak. Spice in the meanwhile, domineers her way through this pesty insolence again.

Usually the way I test the ranks of each chicken, is I hold. .  . for example Spice. I'll grasp her feathered body and move her slowly up and down, let's say in front of Charcoal to see her reaction. *this technique doesn't work 100%  of the time though*. If Charcoal freaks out and makes a dive to the side to avoid the conflict, I will know that she is a lower statues than Spice. However, if Charcoal does not waver her stance and instead raises her head to meet the confrontation growling, she will be confirmed as higher ranked in the pecking order.

This was one problem.

As Spice's head bobbed up and down rudely in front of Charcoal's face, Charcoal snapped."This is an abomination!" she bauwked in her low and dangerous monotonous voice. Charcoal's head shot up and warned of a quick peck of obedience about to be executed. I lowered Spice's head to avoid any unnecessary blood to shed.

I wondered in confusion. Where had the proud, confident, and courageous Spice I had always known disappear off to?