Help!! Baby chicks are being aggressive!

[_ss233]

Hello! I’m super new to owning chickens. I got three babies last week, a barred rock, olive egger and Orpington. A week later I integrated 4 new babies (more Orpingtons and an Easter egger) They integrated just fine and get along well but I am suddenly noticing major aggression from two of the older chicks towards me and my family-the barred rock and olive egger. The barred rock has been fairly assertive since bringing home but even more so now. Always flying at me when I open their brooder and pecking at my hands. It’s stressing me out because we have kids and I really want friendly chickens. Is this behavior normal? How can I help settle them? I’ve been holding daily and interacting with them. But even walking in the room really seems to aggravate them and it’s making me sad. I have concerns the barred rock is a rooster based off behavior and size… help needed!

 

[nuthatched]

Peck it back with your fingers, don't let them get away with poor behavior.

 

[Iluveggers]

How old are they? Where did you get them from? Post a pic and we can help you figure out what gender.

 

[_ss233]

How old are they? Where did you get them from? Post a pic and we can help you figure out what gender.

 

[_ss233]

How old are they? Where did you get them from? Post a pic and we can help you figure out what gender.

I shared pictures. The older three are just over a week old. The black barred rock is my most aggressive, largest. The olive egger, brown one is becoming more aggressive and less interested in being handled. I have an Orpington who I got with those two at the same time and it is super chill and nice. The babies I integrated are only a few days old now. I got them all from Wilco.

 

[SourRoses]

It is an early sign of a cull, unless they have been mishandled.

 

[sourland]

How much space do they have? If in tight quarters, they may feel threatened by your approach causing a fight or flight reaction.

 

[_ss233]

How much space do they have? If in tight quarters, they may feel threatened by your approach causing a fight or flight reaction.

I actually just mentioned this to my husband wondering if they feel stressed with space after adding new chicks!

 

[_ss233]

How much space do they have? If in tight quarters, they may feel threatened by your approach causing a fight or flight reaction.

A cull as in an intentional removal of the chicks in having issues with? Even this early on?

 

[sourland]

A cull as in an intentional removal of the chicks in having issues with? Even this early on?

At this point culling for this behavior seems extreme to me.