How long does the pecking order take???

[Egg-alitarian]

I am a new chicken owner! Got my first girls back in November 1 lavender Orpington and 1 Golden laced Wyandotte. Had them since 3 days old. About 4-5 weeks later, I got 3 more. A lavender Orpington and 2 splash Wyandottes. I introduced them once they were all about the same size. They have been together now for about 2 months!!! But they still are trying to establish a pecking order??!! The younger LO is MEAN!! She beats up on everyone else besides the Leader. What should I do? Should they still be trying to establish the pecking order? Any help is appreciated

I have 9 hens and one Roo - all the hens have always crowded on the SAME roost at night despite there being 2 other levels, and a couple different ages. I never had any bullying and none seem to be particularly in charge, with the exception of a bad-ass Barred Rock I have who was roosting on her waterer and running around their "bedroom " (over the wall!) at 5 days old... She is never mean. If you have a bully, separate in a crate for a day or 2, and let her experience the consequences of her actions, so to speak... It will knock her off her own high horse pretty fast. And make sure they have plenty of room because a bored chicken is a little pecker!

 

[Sapphire Jan]

We've had our three hens for almost two years and they still work on a pecking order. Nothing serious, though. More like squabbling.

 

[7 chicken army]

I adopted two hens into my already established flock about three years ago, the Maran was a bully and did some damage to one of my orps. I used Pinless Peepers on her and it seemed to help some, at least with the pecking damage. YMMV. I also think beak "trimming" is horrific, it's like cutting off the tips of fingers or something. Beaks have a blood supply and nerves, it's not like cutting finger nails.