9 Week Old Chicks Fighting

[AustralorpsAU]

So i have just integrated my 9 week old chicks with my hens and the hens are pecking here and there but nothing major but now my chicks (i am positive i have two pullets and one roo) are flaring neck feathers and fighting every now and then. is this normal juvenile behaviour? even for hens?

Thanks

 

[TwinsLoveChicks]

That's pretty normal. Are they actually hurting each other?

 

[AustralorpsAU]

That's pretty normal. Are they actually hurting each other?

No just flaring feathers and pecking a little. They haven't done it until just now when i moved them in with the hens!

 

[azygous]

I have four twelve-week old EEs and they're all pullets. When they come out of the coop in the morning or when they are let out of the run to free range, they get exuberant and rush at one another as if play fighting.

They remind me of kids let out for recess who run and chase each other and pretend to fight. Both are just displaying youthful joy over being young and alive.

 

[AustralorpsAU]

What age do they start foraging/eating grass... they havent yet

 

[chickens really]

Once you let them out to forage and eat grass.......They do it....
Chickens can be mean to each other and it is just natural for them to create a pecking order...Sometimes it gets very mean as one hen is hen pecked....No real reason for it? It happens though.

 

[aart]

I have four twelve-week old EEs and they're all pullets. When they come out of the coop in the morning or when they are let out of the run to free range, they get exuberant and rush at one another as if play fighting.

They remind me of kids let out for recess who run and chase each other and pretend to fight. Both are just displaying youthful joy over being young and alive.

Same here, mine are a bit older tho...I call them the 'Pullet Punks'.
They race around down low-wings out, or fly/run all over in small groups...stop and flare at each other.
Like a bunch of teenagers goofing around.

 

[AustralorpsAU]

You know its funny. Yesterday morning there was nothing wrong with my hens combs and then when i put the young ones in, one of the hens comb turned light purple but now today its red again so i think it must have been from stress

 

[carlf]

It's not called a pecking order for nothin. They are starting to establish theirs.

 

[berettp]

At what age can this start I have four week old chicks and I keep them inside at night and put them in thier coop during the day when it warms up. When in the coop they play fight rushing at each other is there a concern here. When inside at night they sleep together quietly.