3 week old poults pecking each other

[JRudi]

My 15 poults are 3 weeks old tomorrow.

Yesterday I noted a bunch of them puffing up their upper bodies and lifting their tails, I'm assuming these are males.

Tonight I went into their area and one has a bloody wing and some are fighting almost constantly (when I'm around)
Is this behavior normal? Is this going to persist until a hierarchy is established? Is there anything I can do? I have this one quarantined for now, but is that advisable? I feel so bad for it, it's calling out to the others. I'm not sure yet which are females and which are males, or else I'd put a female in with it.

For reference, I've got 15 3 weeks old poults in a 4x8 grow out pen, until they're old enough to go into their outdoor enclosure.

Thank you for your help!

 

[R2elk]

My 15 poults are 3 weeks old tomorrow.

Yesterday I noted a bunch of them puffing up their upper bodies and lifting their tails, I'm assuming these are males.

Tonight I went into their area and one has a bloody wing and some are fighting almost constantly (when I'm around)
Is this behavior normal? Is this going to persist until a hierarchy is established? Is there anything I can do? I have this one quarantined for now, but is that advisable? I feel so bad for it, it's calling out to the others. I'm not sure yet which are females and which are males, or else I'd put a female in with it. View attachment 4138785

For reference, I've got 15 3 weeks old poults in a 4x8 grow out pen, until they're old enough to go into their outdoor enclosure.

Thank you for your help!

Put PeckNoMore on it. Once they get the taste of blood they will keep at it.

Your 4'x8' pen is too narrow for that may poults.

The behavior you described is pecking order behavior. They are sorting out who is dominant and no, it does not mean that the aggressors are males.

 

[JRudi]

That's so interesting, I didn't know that females would push for dominance too!

I will see if I can get a hold of that product.

Thank you!

Will I be able to put them outside at 4 weeks? Our outdoor pen is more than double the size.

 

[R2elk]

That's so interesting, I didn't know that females would push for dominance too!

I will see if I can get a hold of that product.

Thank you!

Will I be able to put them outside at 4 weeks? Our outdoor pen is more than double the size.

It depends on your ambient tempersture. I shut the heat off for my month old poults today.