What does it mean when they run at each other and chest butt?

[nab58]

My six RSL pullets have been in their coop and large run area for a couple of weeks now. I'm having a great time watching them be chickens.
I've noticed while in the run they will run at each other, wings spread and bang up against each others chests and then walk away.

What are they doing? is that a typical queen of the roost type behavior?

Also, my four under 20 lb dogs have been obnoxiously barking and jumping at the fencing around them. It doesn't seem to bother the pullets at all. In fact, they almost seem like they're taunting the dogs. They stand right near the fence and stare them down. Are the chickens incredibly smart or incredibly stupid?

 

[tweek]

from the research i have done, and i'm a newbie too, they are establishing/challenging the pecking order. so i guess it would be a typical queen of the roost thing.

As for the dog issue i can't help, but my guess is they are incredibly fearless with a fence between them.

 

[CherishHolland]

They are trying to establish their pecking order.

 

[nab58]

I finally put colored zip ties on their ankles so I can tell them apart (I named them too ). I can definitely see some are bolder than others. I was kind of surprised that Buttercup (the yellow zip tie) was continually the one looking to be picked up and following me around.

 

[donrae]

They're just working out who's boss and who's sub. It's very normal for both genders. Some folks will tell you only roosters do this, but girls have to figure out who's boss, too.