fighting or playing

[Jsnick]

I have 9 chicken about 5 months old and when they are out in the evening to forage and get their exercise. I see them run up to one another stand very tall with neck feathers puffed and stare at each other then run away. Its not just one doing it all the time, they all seem to do this. I wasn't sure if this is play or pecking order. I haven't seen any injuries so assuming its play. They get so excited when they see me come out in the evening to let them out.

 

[txnative]

No blood is being drawn, so I wouldn't worry. Sounds like pecking order/play to me (but what do I know???).

 

[gryeyes]

You are correct - it's pecking order behavior. They're challenging each other. The fact they are NOT fighting is very good and pretty much means the rank has been established; but they still gotta test it.

Even if they were fighting, as long as it's just jumping at each other, squawking, chasing, feather pulling are all normal. As long as they do not draw blood, do not interfere. That just interferes with things, because this is The Chicken Way.

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

My girls have all done that too. At 15 weeks I rarely see it anymore.

 

[donrae]

Play and pecking order are kind of the same thing to a young chicken. What they're doing is totally normal and means you have a mentally healthy flock.

 

[Jsnick]

Thanks, that's what I thought. Never seen it go any further than what they do. Its fun to watch them. I do you know who the leader is (so to say) I cant really tell.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sometimes it’s hard to say who the leader is, though that will become more obvious in time. The leader between the two facing off is the one that does not run away or back down.

The overall leader is probably the one breaking up fights if you happen to see that behavior.

 

[SydneyChickens]

God i feel better ready these comments! Mine peck and sqwake at each other, some run and hide behind a tree but there's never been blood or any rolling around wrestling and fighting and at night they all huddle up and sleep together so i'm really hoping they're all going to live happy.