a pecking problem? 0.o

[TreeFever]

My chicks are two days old.
just bout an hour ago they started this pecking war where they go after the area around eachother's eyes.
Is this just how the pecking order starts or should I worry?
They make such distressed little sounds, but all are bullying.
I've got a red heat light on which is supposed to discourage pecking.
Any pointers?

 

[pjbarb]

It may be too hot for them. Can they get away from the heat?
How big is your brooder?

Paul

 

[kodiakchicken]

I agree, pull the heat back and make sure there isn't something else distressing them. Do they have enough room for all of them? Chicks are like children - if they're distressed they immediately start fighting with each other. (Listen to me - I sound like such an expert for a newbie!

)

I had one that would not stop pecking all the others. Particularly my buff o. I finally had to isolate her in her own brooder. I put a mirror in with her and she would stand there all day long pecking at her image in the mirror.

She would also go after the eyes of the dogs, cats or humans if they were close. I decided she needed a single chicken home and recently found an FFA student to take her in.

Watch for awhile and see if there's just one that's starting it. Also, can they all reach the food okay? Mine are getting a little older (2 weeks) and I've been feedin them out of a plastic bowl. However, they can't all fit around it at once now and they fight over who gets to go first. I'm getting one of the long trough feeders.

Best of luck! I know how distressing this is to a chick-mama!