Are some broods of chicks just more aggressive than others?

[thecatumbrella]

I'm curious to hear from anyone that's raised multiple broods of chicks, especially if you're more "hands on" (literally).

This is only our second time, but this brood of chicks are like a box of piranhas. They're almost two weeks old. You'd think the novelty of testing out skin/clothes with their beaks would have worn off by now. Unfortunately, I had to hand feed the group mash for a while to get one chick up to speed (she's making a great recovery, btw), so I don't know if that set the tone for hands=food and now I'm screwed? But they've also gone bananas pecking at stickers and other visual objects. So maybe just hyper-stimulated?

They do take well to the back peck correction. Everything's just slow going.

The last chicks were nothing like this, but it was also a smaller group (4 vs 7) with different breeds (large fowl vs bantams). Same upbringing, same brooders, same equipment, same temp, same food, same interactions (with the exception of the extra mash, as mentioned).

If anyone's considering cochin bantams because they're "docile" and "kid-friendly", HA! Joke's on you!

Here's one coming for blood.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Sounds like normal chick behavior to me. Give them something fun to peck at like one of those hanging chick treats

 

[thecatumbrella]

Sounds like normal chick behavior to me. Give them something fun to peck at like one of those hanging chick treats

So because we're so new at this, I'm wondering if we just got insanely lucky with the last chicks being so gentle, and these little buggers are more of your average experience.

 

[WingItRanch]

Great action shot!!!

They sound super healthy and active to me! My first group was very hesitant with me but my last brood were extremely healthy and bold. I just give a gentle "peck" with my finger if one gets a little too feisty. Teach it like a mother hen would do to mind its manners.

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

One thing that I’ve learned about recently is that a lot of our lightbulbs look like strobe lights to chickens. Many lights don’t list their blink rate but if you record a video in slow motion and see the light blink on and off it could be causing some issues with your chicks. Trying to learn about the world with the lights constantly flashing on and off would certainly make me a little bonkers!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Some breeds are a little more psychotic than others too.

 

[thecatumbrella]

One thing that I’ve learned about recently is that a lot of our lightbulbs look like strobe lights to chickens.

Yes! I've had the same thoughts! Of course our basement has zero natural light. I might do some reading about LED vs incandescent.

 

[thecatumbrella]

My first group was very hesitant with me but my last brood were extremely healthy and bold.

This is just a guess, but I feel like certain chicks just set the tone for the whole group. We only have one super skittish chick, but she's given more confidence by the bold ones around her.

 

[WingItRanch]

This is just a guess, but I feel like certain chicks just set the tone for the whole group. We only have one super skittish chick, but she's given more confidence by the bold ones around her.

I believe that! My recent bunch of chicks are 7 weeks old and there was 1 particular chick that was extra bold and friendly so the others followed. From day 1, I've been suspicious of that one being a male and have kept a close eye on it. Well, now I'm positive he's a cockerel.

The boys are so sneaky. They make you love their personality so you're too invested by the time you realize you've been tricked!

 

[ValkerieGunn]

My Mottled was the only one to give me trouble and once free range integration started he calmed down. I'm hopeful it was a temporary reaction to rough hatchery handling. Everyone else was just skittish but now they run up to me to see what I am doing.