The effects of age and previous experience on social rank in female red junglefowl, Gallus gallus spadiceus

Social rank can influence lifetime reproductive success and therefore fitne ss. We examined the effects of morphology, age, previous social experience and aggressiveness on social rank in all-female flocks of red junglefowl. N one of the morphological characters measured (mass, tarsus length, comb hei ght or comb length) appeared to play a role in determining rank. Older fema les were not more likely to be dominant, while previous social Experience a nd aggression levels were both important in dominance determination. Flock- experienced hens were more likely to be dominant as were more aggressive in dividuals. Red junglefowl females most likely use a combination of characte rs to establish social order in a newly formed flock. (C) 2000 The Associat ion for the Study of Animal Behaviour.