Challenging/dominance?

[Kalebsmomma]

I have 25 Golden Comets hen that will be 16 weeks in 2 days. 5 or 6 of then are starting to squat for me and combs and wattles are getting bigger and more red the last week or so. But I've noticed the last few days that 4-5 others that aren't as ready have been either trying to get behind me and jump or runs up to me and acts almost like they wanna chest bump me lol. Are they trying to dominate me lol? Will they grow out of it or am I suppose to correct it in some way?

 

[azygous]

Are these Twenty-five from a straight run order or did you order pullets? If they are straight run, at least half will be cockerels. Yes, there are definitely ways to tamp down the aggressive behavior. This site has many, many threads on the subject, as well as lots of great articles. I wrote one myself that very briefly gives basic pointers in handling cockerels that are becoming aggressive. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/i-think-i-have-a-cockerel-now-what-do-i-do.76274/

Below your thread are a sampling of threads on this subject.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Golden Comets are red sex links so you should be able to tell at a glance if any are cockerels. Hens will be buff or reddish while the boys should be white.

I've noticed the last few days that 4-5 others that aren't as ready have been either trying to get behind me and jump or runs up to me and acts almost like they wanna chest bump me lol. Are they trying to dominate me lol? Will they grow out of it or am I suppose to correct it in some way?

I've never had that behavior from pullets but I don't cuddle pullets either. I don't hand feed them or give them rides on my shoulders. I read stories on this forum from people who do this of pullets flying up to them looking for cuddles or treats. You don't sound like someone who does that but I don't know for sure.

It's not that strange for pullets or hens to come running if they expect you to have food or treats. They can get underfoot and trip you up if they are not afraid of you. That's the only behaviors similar to what you describe I'm familiar with from the girls.

Just because they are supposed ot be Golden Comets doesn't mean they actually are. If it is the same ones challenging you like this you might post a photo of one or some showing the head so we can see the comb and wattles and another showing the profile so we can see the legs, back and neck feathers, and posture. At 16 weeks we should be able to tell you if they are boys or girls.

I'll admit I don't see this behavior from pullets so I don't understand it. At 16 weeks I don't think there are any red flags as long as they are girls but I do not have an all-girl flock either.

 

[Kalebsmomma]

Yup sex-linked. They are all hens. This isn't the first batch I've had. Golden Comets are all I have ever owned and I have always used the same hatchery. In total I've owned about 200.
I don't really baby them. I don't let them jump or fly up on me or let them climb on me. I don't really give "treats" til after they start laying. And when I do it's usually leftover veggies or scraps, icky eggs, and occasional oatmeal that I throw on the ground.
This is the first time I've ever had this happen. It's so weird.

 

[Kalebsmomma]

My girls