Flock dynamics are indeed interesting. For fun, I have been known to toss a coveted treat out into the middle of the yard on a hot summer day and watch while sipping a coke. The chicken rugby, keep away, that ensues is better than any Sunday football.
As to actual pecking order settlement (rather than a bit of running over a treat they all can share equally), I have generally seen the hardest fighters to be at the bottom of the pecking order as a new member came into the flock. They were determined to not be usurped and pushed further down the chain.
But having a good rooster definitely eases flock tensions and helps tremendously with integrating new pullets. My poor Barney gets a work out when a new member comes in, or worse, the young pullets come into lay and squabbles start over nest boxes (and yes, they have enough boxes, with plenty of room, salted with fake eggs...there is always one GOLDEN box they simply must get).
Having a good rooster and broody hens also helps with flock integration tremendously. When momma comes out of the nursery with her little fluffs in tow, my wonderful roo is immediately at her side shooing away overly nosy hens and preventing squabbles. He keeps a close eye on my girls. The babes grow within the flock seamlessly integrating as they grow.
Without a rooster, it is indeed a scramble until one of the hens takes top spot. She often can be rather bossy and prevents others joining the flock....like the new pullets....who tend to stay in a subflock, even months later.
But a good rooster is eager to increase his harem, so does his little dance, calms disputes, and soon the pullets are fully integrated.
Flock dynamics are very interesting to watch with aerial predators. I often don't see the hawk until afterwards, but my Barney has alerted the girls who dive for cover. Those that are further out in forage carefully zig back to Barney. They literally look like soldiers running across a battle field in zig zag, dive, hide, run.
And my broodies, flying off the nest with screeches for diversion is hysterical (and that's without hawks). Brooding hens are a whole new dimension. Watching momma teach her chicks to scratch and hunt, then settling in to warm them (with all the little heads poking out here and there). I nearly died of laughter one day as a momma decided she needed to move the whole brood over to another spot. She "lifted her skirts" and I saw this little cavalcade of feet shuffling beneath her as she maneuvered the whole gang to a better location.
I have my computer/library room, which has lots of windows, facing the chicken yard. I've spent more than one morning enjoying a cup of coffee watching the bird show outside.
LofMc