Weird Behavior?

[MapleHemp]

Hi All, I'm new to the group and also new to raising chickens. I got 17 pullets about 6 weeks ago and from what he told me, they should all be 5 months old as of yesterday. No eggs yet I can't wait to get my first egg!!!
Anyway, my question is...3 days ago they have all started acting nutty at each other. They puff up their feathers, move their neck and head around at each other, jump straight up and down (like cartoon characters), jump over each other and then squawk and peck at one another. They have done this for 3 straight mornings when they first come out of their coop into their yard.
There have always been 2 that are clearly at the bottom of the pecking order and they continuously get picked on but not like this and this is all 17 of them acting like this. Is this weird or normal behavior?
Thanks for any advice!

 

[sourland]

Hormones are rising as they are about to lay. That plus this cooler weather has them energized and 'playing' in the morning. Normal teenaged pullet behavior is being displayed.

 

[feathermaid]

Wow, that's a lot of birds to start off with!
Welcome to Backyard Chickens!!! I only have three chicks that I added to my original two and they are about the same age as yours. I've also noticed they're acting crazy and excited quite often and like to puff up and pounce on each other. I thought it might be roo behavior but have been told that's just kids playing. And now's about the time they really start hashing out the pecking order. I think it's pretty normal.

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Welcome to BYC!!!

 

[50-45-1]

I think what you are seeing when you release them from the coop is normal joy and happiness to be out. Normal behavior.
Youngsters are like that, even grownup chickens sometimes.
If you are looking for eggs soon. Feed a well balanced feed, put in a container for oyster shell free choice. Put some fake eggs or golf ball in your nest boxes so they get the idea of where to lay.
First eggs are so exciting!

 

[MapleHemp]

Thanks All! I agree 17 is a lot lol! Actually I only asked for 12 but the guy showed up with 17 and I have a big coop so I thought oh well, let's do this!
I've got them on Nature Smart crumble for layers and I put out the oyster shell dish a couple of weeks ago and just noticed this morning one of the Buff Orps nosing around in it, maybe that's a good sign!

 

[alexa009]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens! We are glad you joined the flock! BYC is a helpful site providing all the information you need to know about poultry! They are establishing the pecking order and soon it will be arranged and you won't see chest bumping etc.. anymore. Hope you enjoy it here as much as we all do!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Hormones are rising as they are about to lay. That plus this cooler weather has them energized and 'playing' in the morning. Normal teenaged pullet behavior is being displayed.

Hi All, I'm new to the group and also new to raising chickens. I got 17 pullets about 6 weeks ago and from what he told me, they should all be 5 months old as of yesterday. No eggs yet I can't wait to get my first egg!!!
Anyway, my question is...3 days ago they have all started acting nutty at each other. They puff up their feathers, move their neck and head around at each other, jump straight up and down (like cartoon characters), jump over each other and then squawk and peck at one another. They have done this for 3 straight mornings when they first come out of their coop into their yard.
There have always been 2 that are clearly at the bottom of the pecking order and they continuously get picked on but not like this and this is all 17 of them acting like this. Is this weird or normal behavior?
Thanks for any advice!

RE: Weird Behavior?
OMG! My heart stopped for a second. When I read the title I was like- "What in the world did my husband do this time?!".
Thank goodness.
@sourland hit the nail right on the head with his reply. Chickens (young) are a lot like teenagers. As they mature, their minds are drown with hormone overdose and will pull a 180 on ya. It will all balance out soon.
BTW, welcome to Chicken 411!
Glad you joined us.
-connie

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[Chick-N-Fun]

Howdy! Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Glad to have you here with us. I agree with @sourland , their just feeling their oats!

Thanks for joining our community!