Pecking order

[Rebechenson75]

I have 8 pullets an 1 cockeral that are almost 8 weeks. They seem to have begun sorting themselves out. My light brahma Fajita seems to be the head chicken in charge (hcic) She uses her size to her advantage.

I've noticed they are getting rougher with each other and chest bumps are becoming a regular thing.

Is this normal? How brutal does it get? When do I separate them?

The run they currently have is enough to accommodate 15 chickens if you give 12 soft each. (Calculatted myself when we chose a run for them) The coop says 10 max but I know it's going to be too small in a couple months.

What do I need to know about for the whole pecking order contests?

Thank you in advance. Take ti.e to preen. Beautiful feathers require attention.

 

[RoyalChick]

It can be hard to watch sometimes. The chest bumping is OK but sometimes one will grab another by the comb and it looks brutal.
They sort it out and then there will be peace.
As long as there isn’t blood flowing I wouldn’t worry. Blood is an issue because it can make them all pile on.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They're more playing at pecking order right now than anything. Very normal for birds that age to bump and chase and jump on each other just to do it.

The cockerel would generally be the one to keep a closer eye on, if he gets too worked up too early.

 

[Rebechenson75]

They're more playing at pecking order right now than anything. Very normal for birds that age to bump and chase and jump on each other just to do it.

The cockerel would generally be the one to keep a closer eye on, if he gets too worked up too early.

He's not the one being the pushy one. It's Fajita. She has always been pretty bossy. There's a couple others being more pushy as well.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

That’s pretty normal and not aggressive just horsing around. It’s healthy for them to be working things out in this manner. Truly aggressive behavior would be causing injuries or drawing blood. What they are doing now is no different than a couple kids wrestling and playing around.

 

[rosemarythyme]

He's not the one being the pushy one. It's Fajita. She has always been pretty bossy. There's a couple others being more pushy as well.

He's not, "yet." Wait until he hits his teens, the tables may turn.

But as to the original questions, all the behavior sounds normal so far so no reason to worry about it. They're like kids roughhousing a bit, that's all.

 

[Jsnick]

I have a 15-month-old polish that was the top, she would peck the younger 6 month olds (easter eggers) when it was time to roost. Now one of my younger girls is pecking and chasing her around to the point that she won't roost at night and sits high on a roost during day. She hasn't drawn blood or anything. But she was attached before the young girls were here by two other hens I had to rehome. Do I just let them work it out?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have a 15-month-old polish that was the top, she would peck the younger 6 month olds (easter eggers) when it was time to roost. Now one of my younger girls is pecking and chasing her around to the point that she won't roost at night and sits high on a roost during day. She hasn't drawn blood or anything. But she was attached before the young girls were here by two other hens I had to rehome. Do I just let them work it out?

I would but I'd also keep an eye on things. Somebody has to be on the bottom of the pecking order, but even low ranked birds need to be able to eat and drink without issue, and have a safe place to spend the night.