5 week old chicks attacking each other

[Hennifer73]

So I have been putting chicks out in coop/run during the day when it’s been warm n sunny. I am in SE Georgia. They are in garage at night in brooder. When they go outside they all start attacking each other like biting on each other. They do not do this in brooder besides the occasional try me chest bump. Is this normal?

 

[FarmInProgress]

Yes! I have 5, 5 week old chicks that love fight for fun! Most likely they’re just playing

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

I had younger babies do that too. They're all fine, and they don't fight much anymore. They were just having fun.

 

[Hennifer73]

Thanks. I guess they just have more room out there to play around in lol. Nobody is missing feathers or bleeding and they have settled down now.

 

[Punkybrewster]

Maybe time to leave them in the coop and ditch the brooder? Should be fine in SE Georgia.

 

[Hennifer73]

I might give it a go tonight. I was just worried about them being out at night. I have not used a heat lamp since last week due to it staying warm in my garage. So i guess they will be ok in coop? Lows are in 60's at night.

Maybe time to leave them in the coop and ditch the brooder? Should be fine in SE Georgia.

 

[Punkybrewster]

Should be fine. Close up the vents and windows of the coop tonight and see how they do. Just make sure and open them up in the morning. They have been without the heat lamp so they will be used to darkness so thats great.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Please don't close up the vents, they need adequate ventilation and they should get access to a true day/night cycle. They may peep at night for a couple of nights but will get over the change.

At 5 weeks old, 60 degrees should be fine, provided you've been weaning them off heat which is sounds like you've already done.

 

[Hennifer73]

Please don't close up the vents, they need adequate ventilation and they should get access to a true day/night cycle. They may peep at night for a couple of nights but will get over the change.

At 5 weeks old, 60 degrees should be fine, provided you've been weaning them off heat which is sounds like you've already done.

Really not even sure where vents are if any at all?? I bought this coop before I joined here I know prefab is bad but, I am new to this so bare with me lol.. I did order a defender cage that I will sit this inside so my 4 hens will have more room. I plan on them to free range in my backyard if they can stay inside a 5 1/2 foot fence I have all around my backyard once they get a bit bigger. Here is my coop.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Really not even sure where vents are if any at all??

Assuming the other side looks similar to this, I'd consider cutting out some of the triangular area under the roof line, and replacing it with hardware cloth. Depending on how the winds/storm blow in your area, you might need a buffer over that to keep rain out. A louvered vent cover might do the trick too, if rain is a concern.