Pecking order?

[CluckyInKY]

At what age does a new flock start establishing a pecking order?
I've noticed some friendly chasing, but they are only 5 weeks, so I wasn't sure if that's what's going on or if they are just playing with each other?

 

[azygous]

Chicks are pretty much playing and fooling around, as well as learning until they reach the adolescence stage when hormones begin to govern behavior. This starts around four to five months old. From then on, the pecking order will be an obvious factor in the interaction between individuals.

 

[CluckyInKY]

Chicks are pretty much playing and fooling around, as well as learning until they reach the adolescence stage when hormones begin to govern behavior. This starts around four to five months old. From then on, the pecking order will be an obvious factor in the interaction between individuals.

So, I can start expecting the real-deal pecking order to start being established around the same time they start producing eggs, correct?
It's pretty cute to see them goofing around. One will "charge" another and start a domino effect- then they are all doing it. My daughter finds it most amusing when one will "goose" another's rear end. Haha
Thanks for the info! It's people like you that make BYC such a great resource for us chicken newbies.

 

[Kaylin]

Mine are 11 weeks and I'm starting to see some more serious squabbles. Nothing bad just not quite play anymore.

 

[CluckyInKY]

Mine are 11 weeks and I'm starting to see some more serious squabbles. Nothing bad just not quite play anymore.

I was thinking it was a little early for my girls... And also, nice to meet another Kaylin! I spell mine Kalyn... Don't ever hear our name in my neck of the woods. I get called Kaitlyn all the time lol

 

[Kaylin]

I was thinking it was a little early for my girls... And also, nice to meet another Kaylin! I spell mine Kalyn... Don't ever hear our name in my neck of the woods. I get called Kaitlyn all the time lol

Cool! Nice to meet you and yeah people sticking a T in my name drives me crazy, lol.