Chicks fighting! Is this normal??

[Lili Smith]

Should I be worried if my chicks are fighting? They do it a lot and I am worried that they might hurt each other if this continues into adulthood. Does the fighting mean that they are boys? Any knowledge of this would be much appreciated. Thanks x

 

[KadeSilkies21]

I have done some research on this and it seems that chickens establish their 'pecking order' very young. How old are they? Are they under an infrared bulb or just normal light. Normal heat lighting can cause fighting sometimes. If the fighting gets too bad I would seperate them but make sure they can see each other. I hope this helps!

 

[KadeSilkies21]

I would say that it is completely normal for them to fight a bit. If it gets too bad then there is a problem.

 

[Lili Smith]

They are under an electric hen heat plate which they are very happy to go there together. Two of my chicks are 3 and a half weeks old and one is 2 and a half weeks old.

 

[Diannastarr]

Should I be worried if my chicks are fighting? They do it a lot and I am worried that they might hurt each other if this continues into adulthood. Does the fighting mean that they are boys? Any knowledge of this would be much appreciated. Thanks x

o golly they might need more room ..? see if giving them more room helps to stop the fighting..? your not going to want this fighting to go on into adulthood since they can end up cannibalizing or killing each other, in other words its just not good & the younger one might be getting picked on..?

 

[Saaniya]

Chasing each other is normal but pecking is somewhat not normal especially if they pecking on toes or vent area .
Its a condition called cannibalism and young chicks face it too when there's lack of protine in diet ..or boredom is the culprit keep them busy in something and monitor

 

[chickengeorgeto]

All chicks fight to one degree or another. Have you ever heard of "The Pecking Order?"
If they are healthy you may even come home to a pecking, quarreling, fighting, mass of baby chicks (usually at about 2 weeks old) and every chick will have a bloody noggin. Grease up their heads so the scabs are not interfering with feeding and sight and most of the time they will remain peaceful as a church cake walk until the sex hormones kick in. At that time they may do it again. This is especially true of the little cockerels who at 5 to 8 months of age will be trying to establish their dominance, and any older hens may be trying to hang on to their dominance.

They are under an electric hen heat plate which they are very happy to go there together. Two of my chicks are 3 and a half weeks old and one is 2 and a half weeks old.

Do not, I repeat DO NOT brood older chicks with younger chicks or small chicks with larger ones. All you're doing is painting a big red target on the backs of the smaller, younger, or weaker chicks with a big flashing sign that says PECK ME.

 

[chickens really]

Possibly your Brooder is too small...They are bored and can go out to the Coop...Put up roosts and have some tree stumps and a dust bath area...

 

[theoldchick]

The game breeds can be difficult to raise for this very reason. As previously mentioned, space, diet, lighting can also cause fighting. When raising youngsters, I try to avoid 'corners' in the place they are kept. I love the cardboard corral to raise babies in.

You don't have to buy this as you can use any cardboard box. Once they have graduated from this you can use a GoGo pen or any similar product until they are ready for the coop.

And remember chicks do fight develop their bodies, however you don't want to see bloody spots. And as I mentioned game breeds have to be separated or allowed to free range in a very large yard to prevent cannibalism.

Hope this helps.
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