Pecking order behavior?

[Jeffross1968]

I have 4 youngin's around twelve weeks of age. Over the last week, I've noticed that they are doing this hilarious bit while in the coop...they'll chase each other around a bit, and then stop only an inch from each other, fluff out their feathers, and stand beak to beak, sometimes for a minute! Then they relax, walk around a bit, and repeat, over and over again. Funny to watch. Seems someone will always back down right at the point where a fight might start

 

[kesali]

Mine are the same age as yours and have started doing the same thing. This is my first year with chickens, but I think they are establishing the pecking order. I haven't been able to determine exactly who is the head one is yet.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Yep, they are challenging each other to determine who's going to be higher in the pecking order. The first one to back down loses.

 

[chi-rn]

 

[Jeffross1968]

Quote:
Ok, good. Funny thing to watch. Guess they'll have to go through all this again when they are added to the older flock.

 

[sourland]

They are play fighting, posturing, and preparing for grown up life.