Because I have several groups of chickens - added batches of 4 chicks at a time about a month apart from each other - I get to watch the pecking order in action a lot.
I've taken a great deal of precaution in integrating the groups so there's no bloodshed or injury. They get along, but they do hang out in their own little groups of coop-mates. Four coops, four "gangs" of chickens, so to speak.
As each group integrated, the lowest in rank of each preceding group let the newcomers know SHE was Above Them in the pecking order. I really notice it when I feed them treats from my hands.
Greta, BSL, is above all the newcomers, except for Betsy, BR, who oddly enough "jumped" rungs and is allowed to hang out with and eat out of the same hand as ANY of the top 3 hens (EE, BO, CM) when I offer treats. Lola, bantam cochin, is above Delilah Delaware! And Gilda. And all the other bantams. (Lola coops with 3 bantam roosters and she is like their den-mother.) Molly, BA, is below Lola, but Betsy will let Molly join her to eat out of my hand. Lola won't push Betsy, but she will peck at Molly.
Right now, I think Emma or Angel, both bantam EEs, who are cooped with Molly and Nugget, a bantam cochin roo, are equal in "lowest" status. Joy and Alice - Sebrights - are as shy, but they are "protected and sheltered" by Delilah, who takes care of them and Gilda.
It's interesting to watch. Lola will run after a lower ranking pullet to chase her away from treats, allowing another couple of girls to dash in and get some goodies. Until Lola gets back.
Lola just doesn't act as sweetly as one would imagine a big, fluffy basketball of feathers to act.
