A few of my 5 week olds have been pecking each other on the head.

[A.M. Eggs]

So I went outside this morning hoping for everything to be normal, until I find Paris, one of my young cockerels, covered in blood. When I put them away last night, everything was fine. I don’t know what happened. I have him separated but a few of my other cockerels are also showing signs. Are the cockerels fighting or something? What can I do to stop this from happening? I won’t be able to address the wounds until this afternoon.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So I went outside this morning hoping for everything to be normal, until I find Paris, one of my young cockerels, covered in blood. When I put them away last night, everything was fine. I don’t know what happened. I have him separated but a few of my other cockerels are also showing signs. Are the cockerels fighting or something? What can I do to stop this from happening? I won’t be able to address the wounds until this afternoon.

Do you have any photos?
How are you housing them? (photo of your setup)
How many chicks do you have all together?

Could be that the cockerels are fighting already. You may need more space depending on where you are keeping them.
I would be a good idea to access the wounds now if you have time, so you can tell how much damage there is - if it's superficial then it's probably o.k. to wait to tend to him, but if he's been pecked in the eyes, then they may need to be seen to now.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

When I saw him, his eyes were fine but his head has been pecked to the point of bleeding. There are ten chicks in the group. This has to have happened during the night because they sleep in a different area than the adults. I went to put them away last night and they were fine. I am going to be integrating them tonight into the big coop. This was their last night in there small coop. I have raised 12 chicks to eight weeks before in this coop and had no trouble. It is only the roosters who are showing signs of injury, the girls are fine. I am going to take photos when I get back home. These things always seem to happen when I have to go to work. Ugh!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do they have a light at night?
If they don't then I don't see how they would be picking at each other in the night.

Do you have enough space with your adults so they chicks can get away from them? Have the adults been able to see the chicks?

 

[A.M. Eggs]

They don't have a light where they are except the barn light, but it doesn't reach where they are sleeping.

Yes they have a lot of space to run and hide.
Yes the adults have been able to see the chicks since they were babies. These chicks were raised by a broody hen.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Where is the broody, is she still with them? Is it possible the broody is ready to be done with them and pecking them away?

 

[A.M. Eggs]

The broody has been away from them a week now. She didn't peck him that I know of. I have him patched up now. Luckily his eyes are ok, but his face is swollen.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post pictures?