Do pullets chest bump?

[Sassy13]

I have a flock of 5 pullets. They are between 6-8 weeks old. Recently, Ginger, my BO pullet is chest bumping with the other girls. She starts hopping in the run and then starts pecking at Tinnie, my Dark Brahma, she is 6 weeks old. My other breeds are a Welsummer, Australorp and Cuckoo Maran. The welsummer is also chest bumping and puffing her feathers.

Last night the Ginger, my BO, flew right at me, while I was putting them in their coop at night. Everyone seems to go up the ladder to their coop but Ginger is the defiant one. She likes to hang around in her run.

Do I roosters or do hens chest bump as well to establish their pecking order? I am a newbie!

 

[Lydia Huizenga]

Both cockerels and pullets will chest bump to establish the pecking order. Have fun with you chicks!

 

[Sassy13]

I thought BO are the sweetest of all. You think my BO charged at me because she was being protective of her flock at dusk? or do I need to be firm with them

 

[The Happster]

Do you have a photo?
Could be a pullet or a cockerel.
Buff orps are lovely. It depends how her behaviour has been apart from that.

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

I thought BO are the sweetest of all. You think my BO charged at me because she was being protective of her flock at dusk? or do I need to be firm with them

I always have to be firm with mine. My hens never did that, only cockerels, but I would peck them back and they soon learned to leave me alone.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Did she charge at you or was she tried to run past you?

 

[Sassy13]

No she tried to fly right at me at dusk, while I was leading the rest in their coop at night.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

Can you post a picture? Normally I have found BO cockerels pretty easy to tell the gender from the start, but I don’t know. Both pullets and cockerels chest bump, it’s normal behaviour. Flying at you isn’t though.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

And no, BO are not the sweetest of all. There are many breeds that are known for being sweeter, but BOs are at the perfect spot where they are nice, but can normally hold their own in a flock.

 

[Sassy13]

Can you post a picture? Normally I have found BO cockerels pretty easy to tell the gender from the start, but I don’t know. Both pullets and cockerels chest bump, it’s normal behaviour. Flying at you isn’t though.

Here she is. The welsummer and dark brahma are in the background.