I need info. on how pecking orders are formed in a "hens only" society.

From the obeservations I have made of my hens, the pecking order depends not so much on size but on age. If the hens are all the same age I have found that it usually forms from aggressive traits.

Older hens are usually the ones that are on the top of the pecking order, although if they're weak it doesn't matter how old they are. Big hens are sometimes at the top of the pecking order but, like Chikiechik said, it has more to do with age. If a hen is big, strong and old she is usually the "boss".

My dominant hen in a group of 9 hens has the reddest wattles out of the bunch! She almost protects the rest of the flock as if she were a rooster....she'll run up sideways at you if she thinks you are threatening the flock. All these hens are sisters from the same hatch, the dominant one is definitely biggest!

Our dominant hen in a group of three hens is the youngest by about six weeks. She is a silver-laced Wyandotte and is the biggest, roundest, prettiest, meanest, shyest of people, and is the least likely to lay. She chases squirrels and cats away from her flock, and calls to them when she has found something good to eat. She is a character.

Thank you, I appreciate your info. and I'm sorry I posted this question twice.