Established Pecking Order Behaviors?

[WA_RN]

What are some behaviors I need to watch for in my 4.5 week old chicks that point to pecking order being established? So far the only thing I have seen behavior wise is one of my buff orpingtons putting her head down really low and running full speed at me when I reach into the brooder. She also ran across the brooder and pecked my husbands hand last night. Other than that, I’ve not observed anything between the chicks and I do spend a ridiculous amount of time watching them.

What behaviors should I observe when pecking order is being established?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mostly it's chest bumping and running at each other. The pecking order gets loosely established initially. It becomes more solid as they sexually mature and hormones start to surge at 4-7 months. Pecking order is more about attitude, and confidence.

 

[aart]

What she said....
...and it's fluid, ever changing, and rolls down hill.