I have got three black rock hens, about 19 weeks old. Is it common for them to play fight?

Question

I keep my hens in an avery overnight which has a built in coop just for safety, but during the day I let them roam the garden. As soon as I let them out, they rear up at each other, puff up their feathers and chase each other around. It doesn't seem as though one is more dominant than the others, as they all chase one another. This goes on for a few minutes at a time but happens many times an hour. Is this anything to get worried about?

Answer 1

It is normal. Don't worry because they just seeing who's the dominant hen

Answer 2

YES... very common.  

Nothing to worry about ... they like to play fight too!  

Answer 3

I can't say that I have ever heard of it being common, but I would say that so long as they aren't preventing eachother from eating or that none of them have injuries that everything is fine.

Answer 4

It's normal. They're just working out their pecking order. It might seem like there isn't a dominant hen now, but before long there definitely will be. Unless they're really hurting each other, just leave them alone.

Answer 5

They are just sorting out the pecking order . .  It looks like a fight but isn't as long as no hen is hurt and no blood is shed everything will be OK. . things will sort themselves out within a week and then you will see that there is one hen who is a bit "bossier" and will peck the other two if they get in her way or annoy her but only a quick peck and nothing Major and the other two will learn fast that she is boss  =)

the pecking order is just a flock  of chickens way of keeping control of things and keeping the peace =) normally the rooster is the top man in control but since there is no rooster the hens will squabble a bit and in turn one will become the more dominant one and take the roosters place