Can 6-8 weeks old chickens have a pecking order?

[Chicken3460]

Title pretty much says it all. I have 10 6-8 weeks old chickens in a group. I was wondering if they can have a pecking order.

 

[snow5164]

You bet they can , some come out of the eggs ready to rumble ,

My little 8 week old rooster is already causing me to look up recipes , little pooper

 

[DobieLover]

Absolutely! At 3 weeks old, I suspected something was up with the known cockerel in my flock and "Dixie" as they sparred a lot. Well, fast forward 4 weeks and without a doubt "Dixie" is in fact Dexter! And all the girls have been bowing down to Dolly since before they left the brooder.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Chicks establish a pecking order as soon as they hatch.

 

[Chicken3460]

Oh okay thanks! =)

 

[Chicken3460]

Also how can you tell that one of the chickens is the leader. Do they just follow him/her around?

 

[Mrs. K]

They get out of their way, the leaders get the best stuff.

 

[Folly's place]

The leader goes where she (he) wants, and everyone gets out of the way. First to food and water, best and highest roost space, defers to no other bird. And on down the line; second, third, fourth, etc, down to the lowest individual. New birds start at the bottom and move up as they can. With plenty of space, separate feeders and waterers, and reasonably pleasant individual birds, no injuries are likely to happen and everyone learns how to behave.
Mary

 

[Chicken3460]

The leader goes where she (he) wants, and everyone gets out of the way. First to food and water, best and highest roost space, defers to no other bird. And on down the line; second, third, fourth, etc, down to the lowest individual. New birds start at the bottom and move up as they can. With plenty of space, separate feeders and waterers, and reasonably pleasant individual birds, no injuries are likely to happen and everyone learns how to behave.
Mary

So if I threw some chicken food near a lower "rank" chicken, the lower "rank" doesn't eat it?

 

[lissalischicks]

I've noticed with my chicks the lower ones will try to grab it but if the ones that are higher in rank start coming they make a run for it or just walk around the periphery hoping to get a piece.