They're having trouble sorting out a pecking order

[BellaBokBok]

My two pullets are having trouble sorting out the pecking order While they were in the brooder the slightly bigger one was the higher ranked and now that they've been moved too the coop and they're looking more similar (one is still slightly bigger) they're having trouble sorting things out
When I let them free range they fly at each other and try to stand on one another
Is this common?

 

[ZaksGarden]

I would say it is, all the chickens I have ever had have had to "dish it out" to establish their pecking order.mi will tell you I currently have 4 Wyandotte hens, age is 18 weeks and I see NO pecking order...it is the first time I have ever seen anything like that..they never quarrel or fuss, never peck each other, don't fight over food or treats...I can't tell who the ring leader is.

 

[BellaBokBok]

Mine don't even fight over treats either, they'll wait their turn for me to push leaves through the wire too them and then take them one at a time and each make their own little piless of leaves, it's so cute

 

[terryg]

It's harder for only two hens to sort pecking order as they are fixated on each other and don't have friends in a flock to get support from. Things go much more smoothly in flocks of 4 or more. Chest banging and pecking skirmishes are fine, but do be worried if one mounts the other, pins her down and pecks hard. She could draw blood and she could kill. Take a look at their environment. Even two hens need plenty of space and things to do. Try distracting them with two cantaloupe halves, put in an outside roost. Have two feeding stations. I have more ideas here: http://hencam.com/faq/pecking-order/

 

[BellaBokBok]

It's harder for only two hens to sort pecking order as they are fixated on each other and don't have friends in a flock to get support from. Things go much more smoothly in flocks of 4 or more. Chest banging and pecking skirmishes are fine, but do be worried if one mounts the other, pins her down and pecks hard. She could draw blood and she could kill. Take a look at their environment. Even two hens need plenty of space and things to do. Try distracting them with two cantaloupe halves, put in an outside roost. Have two feeding stations. I have more ideas here: http://hencam.com/faq/pecking-order/

well my coops kinda small and it's winter so i can't put melons and stuff out there but im going to put in like a log soon for them to play on

 

[theoldchick]

Could be the size of your chicken area is too small. Increasing their living space may resolve the aggression issue.

And make sure you have two pullets, not cockerels.

If you need to keep them occupied, get a clean, dry 16 oz plastic drinking bottle, put several small holes in it and fill 3/4 full with scratch feed. Throw on the ground or hang it in the coop. The chickens will have to work for their food and hopefully be less aggressive toward each other. Mine seem to prefer to roll the bottle across the ground and get the feed as it falls out.

 

[BellaBokBok]

Could be the size of your chicken area is too small. Increasing their living space may resolve the aggression issue.

And make sure you have two pullets, not cockerels.

If you need to keep them occupied, get a clean, dry 16 oz plastic drinking bottle, put several small holes in it and fill 3/4 full with scratch feed. Throw on the ground or hang it in the coop. The chickens will have to work for their food and hopefully be less aggressive toward each other. Mine seem to prefer to roll the bottle across the ground and get the feed as it falls out.

Yeah the size is much to small for my liking but my mother won't let me extend it just yet. Some day I shall have the coop I've always wanted.