3.5 Week Old Chicks Fighting

[shark13]

Hello,
I live in Hawaii and we have about a dozen or so hens and roosters that roam wild on our (and neighbor's) land. One of our hens recently had 10 chicks. We started them in an enclosure for the first week but they have been on their own with mom to roam free for the last 2.5 weeks. I just commented today how well adjusted they all are. We feed them twice a day for now and they spend their time lounging, foraging, and playing in the bamboo.

The other day I noticed a bit of aggression between a few of the chicks and today it seems to have gotten much worse, with one in particular being very aggressive, jumping at and biting the others. The one in particular doesn't stop and seems focused on nothing else other than fighting. We have isolated that chick for now but I wanted to get some input on whether this is the best method for now, and if it is, how long the chick (probably cockerel) should be isolated?

Can a chick at this age kill the other chicks?

Thanks

 

[nuthatched]

They're just establishing the pecking order.

 

[shark13]

I understand that. My question is whether this behavior can lead to the death of other chicks. Especially if one cockerel is particularly focused on another cockerel?

 

[DemeterAD9]

I wouldn't expect such young chicks to be able to kill their siblings especially when roaming freely. They will have to figure out who the top bird is so unless the bullied chick is running away and still be ruthlessly beaten/injured by the other I wouldn't worry too much.

If it really is bad enough to cause injury then I'd be looking to get rid of the bully, it does not sound like he will be nice as an adult.