Are some broods of chicks just more aggressive than others?

[Lil Country]

I have 16 chicks ranging from 2 weeks to 2 days. I have 4 breeds, so far my speckled Sussex are the aggressive ones in the bunch. They are housed with RIR and they are very sweet. I do believe certain temperaments are more prevalent in certain breeds.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I'm hopeful it was a temporary reaction to rough hatchery handling.

This is another difference between the two groups that I forgot to mention! The first were picked up in a farm store the day after hatch. This second group spent over 48 hours in the mail . My husband thinks they're a little behind developmentally because of spending those first few days in a dark box under duress. Glad to hear yours came around.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I have 4 breeds, so far my speckled Sussex are the aggressive ones in the bunch.

That's really interesting because I've always heard that Speckled Sussex are very people oriented. Are they nippy with each other or just with you?

We had RIR hybrids last time, and they were absolutely perfect as chicks. Quiet, gentle, and very self-sufficient.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That's really interesting because I've always heard that Speckled Sussex are very people oriented. Are they nippy with each other or just with you?

We had RIR hybrids last time, and they were absolutely perfect as chicks. Quiet, gentle, and very self-sufficient.

If you read enough posts on this forum you will find chickens of any breed can be absolute monsters toward other chickens or toward humans or both. You will find that chickens of any breed can be absolute sweethearts toward other chickens or humans or both. RIR's probably have the worst reputation on this forum for being brutes toward other chickens and humans. You've had experience with RIR hybrids. What do you think?

I think our experiences have a large effect as to our perceptions, as they should. I also think that many people compare normal chicken behaviors to what is accepted for humans and find chickens lacking. Personally I look at each chicken's actual behaviors instead of assuming anything because of breed.

 

[Lil Country]

That's really interesting because I've always heard that Speckled Sussex are very people oriented. Are they nippy with each other or just with you?

We had RIR hybrids last time, and they were absolutely perfect as chicks. Quiet, gentle, and very self-sufficient.

I got 4 chicks from a breeder and suspect 2 of them are Roos already at 2 weeks. They a very flighty, skittish, stirring the pot and peck at the other chicks. The Roos will also peck my hand when I reach in. I won’t be keeping the Roos. Loving the RIR very sweet.

 

[morgirl]

I'm curious to hear from anyone that's raised multiple broods of chicks, especially if you're more "hands on" (literally).

This is only our second time, but this brood of chicks are like a box of piranhas. They're almost two weeks old. You'd think the novelty of testing out skin/clothes with their beaks would have worn off by now. Unfortunately, I had to hand feed the group mash for a while to get one chick up to speed (she's making a great recovery, btw), so I don't know if that set the tone for hands=food and now I'm screwed? But they've also gone bananas pecking at stickers and other visual objects. So maybe just hyper-stimulated?

They do take well to the back peck correction. Everything's just slow going.

The last chicks were nothing like this, but it was also a smaller group (4 vs 7) with different breeds (large fowl vs bantams). Same upbringing, same brooders, same equipment, same temp, same food, same interactions (with the exception of the extra mash, as mentioned).

If anyone's considering cochin bantams because they're "docile" and "kid-friendly", HA! Joke's on you!

Here's one coming for blood.

View attachment 4090762

looks like you have a wonderful area. just add things, water bottle, torn paper, sticks are one of my favorite. mine love to just on things.

 

[thecatumbrella]

looks like you have a wonderful area. just add things, water bottle, torn paper, sticks are one of my favorite. mine love to just on things.

I was able to source a smaller heat plate that could actually keep temp, so they got all their toys back yesterday! I bet they'd love to attack a water bottle . Biggest hit so far has been a plastic tiered spice shelf.

 

[CabritaChicks]

I’ve been offering my Rhode Island Reds a mix of enrichment to keep their clever little minds and busy beaks occupied. I give them a sheet pan filled with a blend of dirt and grit to aid their digestion and for them to scratch, some freshly sprouted fodder, and a handful of cooked pinecones, bundles of herbs and sticks to scratch at and explore. I try to mix things up daily—offering them enrichment items like a giant bok choy leaf to shred, a slice of watermelon to cool off with, or whatever veggie scraps I have left after prepping meals for my husband.

Despite their curious nature, they’ve never actually pecked me, per se. They’re gentle birds, full of personality but respectful of my space. In the mornings, they like to roost in the corner of the sofa next to my bum while I wind down and watch TV for about 20 minutes. It’s become a little routine of ours. After that they head out ro the coop for the rest of the day. Since they are young- and this world is scary- they sleep back in the cage in the utility room. At 7 weeks they will be 'full time coopers'.

They were raised in the utility room, which has a big glass door, so they’ve always been in tune with the rhythm of natural light. Sunrise and sunset? Oh, they definitely know. There’s no slipping anything past them—especially when the sun dips low and they start making their way to their favorite perch like clockwork.

I know RIR's get a bad rap. But these girls are definitely not in the bully category (yet, at 5.5 weeks). *images taken awhile back.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I’ve been offering my Rhode Island Reds a mix of enrichment to keep their clever little minds and busy beaks occupied. I give them a sheet pan filled with a blend of dirt and grit to aid their digestion and for them to scratch, some freshly sprouted fodder, and a handful of cooked pinecones, bundles of herbs and sticks to scratch at and explore. I try to mix things up daily—offering them enrichment items like a giant bok choy leaf to shred, a slice of watermelon to cool off with, or whatever veggie scraps I have left after prepping meals for my husband.

Despite their curious nature, they’ve never actually pecked me, per se. They’re gentle birds, full of personality but respectful of my space. In the mornings, they like to roost in the corner of the sofa next to my bum while I wind down and watch TV for about 20 minutes. It’s become a little routine of ours. After that they head out ro the coop for the rest of the day. Since they are young- and this world is scary- they sleep back in the cage in the utility room. At 7 weeks they will be 'full time coopers'.

They were raised in the utility room, which has a big glass door, so they’ve always been in tune with the rhythm of natural light. Sunrise and sunset? Oh, they definitely know. There’s no slipping anything past them—especially when the sun dips low and they start making their way to their favorite perch like clockwork.

I know RIR's get a bad rap. But these girls are definitely not in the bully category (yet, at 5.5 weeks). *images taken awhile back.

My Rhode Island hybrids were super easy-going, gentle chicks. One turned into a total jerk at 5 months (point of lay) and did better in a larger flock on a larger property. You're clearly making lots of effort to keep them happy and engaged (great ideas, btw), so let us know how they do over time! We started to figure out the concept of contrafreeloading -- working for their food -- a little too late, but I'll incorporate it early this round. If you can get their feed in pelleted form, the Lixit treat ball is a great mental exercise for them. And they only THINK they're getting a treat!

 

[CabritaChicks]

My Rhode Island hybrids were super easy-going, gentle chicks. One turned into a total jerk at 5 months (point of lay) and did better in a larger flock on a larger property. You're clearly making lots of effort to keep them happy and engaged (great ideas, btw), so let us know how they do over time! We started to figure out the concept of contrafreeloading -- working for their food -- a little too late, but I'll incorporate it early this round. If you can get their feed in pelleted form, the Lixit treat ball is a great mental exercise for them. And they only THINK they're getting a treat!

What you call “contrafreeloading” in animal behavior science, we (being me) usually just refer to as “enrichment” in the parrot world. It’s the idea that an animal will often choose to work for food—even when that same food is freely available. For parrots, that usually means tucking some treats inside something else: a cardboard takeout container filled with crumpled paper, maybe a couple of seeds, a chunk of fruit, or a nut hidden deep inside. Then we just let them go to town. It’s messy, loud, and absolutely enriching.

But Isla (my special one) got her head stuck in a tiger melon today. It lasted seconds... wish aI got it on video!

What’s funny is how, at the end of the day, a lot of these concepts are really just the same thing in different packaging. Chickens and parrots might be worlds apart in terms of personality, habitat, and history, but when it comes to feeding strategies? There’s a surprising amount of overlap.

My Rhode Island Reds don’t mind digging through a pile of leaf litter or tossing organic matter around if there’s something tasty tucked inside. Whether it’s a foraging tray, a stuffed veggie, or just a bit of extra effort between beak and reward—it’s all the same idea. Keep their brains working. Let them play with their food. Make the day a little more interesting than just waiting for the next scoop of feed.