4 wk old chicks pecking order?

[Jen71]

I am brand new to chickens and I am curious if this is common amongst 4 week old chicks....

We have 4 pullets and they seem to be taking turns roosting in the top spot at night. In our brooder, we've built a ladder type roost for them to practice on. At night, most of the chicks sleep huddled together on the floor of the brooder, but one is roosting at the top of the ladder. At first, we just assumed she was the Queen of the group, but now we've watched and they are taking turns!

All the chicks wake up, walk around, then a different chick roosts at the top, and the other three huddle together on the floor. There is no fighting or disagreement. It's all very calm and orderly. This has happened over and over tonight with every chick having a turn at the top. It's almost like they are "keeping watch" or something.

Is this just a random occurrence or common behavior?

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

Our chicks will do that also. They start figuring out that they have wings and then they figure out that it is much more fun being up as high as they can get. It is not necessarily a pecking order deal as much as it is exploration.

 

[Jen71]

Ok. That makes sense.
It's funny to watch them. Two of the chicks seem much more confident and dominant than the other two.
Their personalities are quite clear!