Baby chicks fighting

[VegasBeginner]

I have 7 week old chicks that grew up together since day 1 and all of a sudden are pecking each other aggressively. There’s five of them and the only change that has happened was that their mother has been returned to the folk. I want to say this is the pecking order but I have 2 baby chicks badly bruised with some blood drawn and 1 that has a good amount of feathers removed.

I was wondering if anyone has had problems like this and can help me fix it? Thx

 

[sourland]

Do they have adequate space ? It may be an overcrowding issue.

 

[Matilda Belle]

I agree it may be an overcrowding issue. You may to divide up into separate pens.

 

[coloradowildflower]

First thing to check is overcrowding. Next, nutrition--are they getting enough protein? Can you set up different feeders and waterers so they are not competing for those? Next, check your lights/heat--sometimes too much light/heat can make young birds aggressive. You may need to separate them. I'd recommend blu-kote right away on the injured ones--it is a purple spray that helps heal and covers the picked area so that the aggressive ones are not drawn to pick at the wounds further: