4 week old fighters.

[Timmee81]

I have three four week old chicks.
Obviously no idea of age but two are fighting a lot. Standing up as tall as can, lunging at each other and what I can only describe as flying at each other. Is this normal, could it be two males trying to rule the roost in an epic battle or is it just regular sorting out pecking order. Ones a rather large ISA Brown and ones an Australorp. The third chick, also an Australorp just seems to side step out the way and do it’s thing. They never seem to bother it. Just get each other in sight and go for it

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It is normal for them to do that in short spurts as they work out the pecking order. If it's going on for a long time it is a bit unusual but not unheard of. @speckledhen routinely has little Brahma chicks fighting like gladiators.

 

[Timmee81]

It is normal for them to do that in short spurts as they work out the pecking order. If it's going on for a long time it is a bit unusual but not unheard of. @speckledhen routinely has little Brahma chicks fighting like gladiators.

Thanks. I assumed it’s a pecking order thing but always best to check. My ISA has an attitude problem and is the biggest so likes to play boss chicken lol

 

[junebuggena]

Could also be a lack of space. At 4 weeks old, they should have about 2 to 4 sq ft per chick, so they have enough space to work out their pecking order.

 

[speckledhen]

It is normal for them to do that in short spurts as they work out the pecking order. If it's going on for a long time it is a bit unusual but not unheard of. @speckledhen routinely has little Brahma chicks fighting like gladiators.

Yes, I do! Check out this short clip of two boys battling it out. They go at it till one bleeds, then, it's pretty much over.These were 6 weeks old and I have to listen to them squeal for one afternoon. It's brutal! When they almost have it settled, usually one of the pullets decides it's time to battle one of them, too.
Adding that in this case, they have a lot of space. Every group does this at 4-6 weeks old, every single group of Brahmas. The Barred Rocks don't battle this way.

 

[Timmee81]

That may also be current issue. Have to have them inside at moment as there’s a heat wave going on at they were struggling outdoors. Naturally can’t give them huge amount of space in living room especially with indoor cats. Once heat waves passed they’ll be back outside with extra room. Unfortunately it’s best I can do in this extreme heat

 

[Timmee81]

Oh m

Yes, I do! Check out this short clip of two boys battling it out. They go at it till one bleeds, then, it's pretty much over.These were 6 weeks old and I have to listen to them squeal for one afternoon. It's brutal! When they almost have it settled, usually one of the pullets decides it's time to battle one of them, too.

Oh mine are no where near that serious about it lol.

 

[speckledhen]

Oh m



Oh mine are no where near that serious about it lol.

Then count your blessings, LOL. Every bunch of Brahma chicks does the same thing. No other breeds I've had do this, but once they settle it, it's settled for the most part. But that one afternoon, I have to listen to them squeal and on occasion, doctor up one that gets pecked too hard. They are the sweetest males ever, though, as a whole.

 

[Timmee81]

This is their current indoor enclosure. As you can see one of the cats like to watch (back of cage). Then there’s the other (to the right). She’s not really interested in anything else though. Yesterday she cuddle up to the cage and slept
Will be glad when this crazy heat passes. Just don’t want to take chances with them outdoors in such heat yet as don’t want them to perish.

 

[Timmee81]

My ISA has started doing what looks like a growing movement. Video won’t upload. No sound other than a clicking noise towards the end also. Is that standard or possible rooster attempting to crow? Sorry for al the questions never had chickens before and beginning to think maybe babies were something I wasn’t prepared for