Attacking or play-fighting?

[3for3]

We have three 2 week old babies (two Dixie Rainbows and one Buff Orp) and any time their light is on they jump around body-slamming each other and generally giving each other the evil eye. We replaced their red bulb with a regular 60 watt incandescent as it has been in the 80's the last few days, and that did not help. Only when the light is off and they are huddled together do they leave each other alone. There is no pecking going on, they just jump claws first at each other and corner each other. Is this play fighting or are we dealing with three roos?! Any thoughts? TIA.

 

[BaileyBoy]

you need a 250 watt red heat lamp. you can get one for $10 and it reduces the aggressive because of something about not being able to see it well or something

 

[3for3]

BaileyBoy we had one, we took it out thinking that was the reason they were attacking each other. Nothing different with the new bulb.

 

[BaileyBoy]

I don't know exactly what to tell you. if they still huddle together at the end of the day, my only guess would be that they are play fighting. Maybe get some toys (eg. a little cat ball, a stuffed animal) and put it in the bator and see if that helps, maybe they're just bored

 

[SusanPC]

Hi - My chicks sometimes did that (and still do sometimes at 5 weeks old), but not all the time. I got the impression they were practicing chicken behavior (like play fighting), but if it's happening for long lengths of time, they may need more space and interesting things to do. Be sure their brooder is large enough. We had to increase the size of their brooder at about 10 days old to keep them from getting bored and wandering around looking for things to do (like pecking each other). We also put a small/short roost in their and gave them a sand bath tub. We eventually wound up (after about 2 weeks old), taking them outside the brooder each day to give them play time to stretch their wings, run, and generally get their energy out. They became quite cantankerous by 3 weeks old. I could see that they may be trying to get their energy out and need more room, space each day to "play" and interesting activities or things to keep them occupied. I hope this helps.

 

[3for3]

Chicken Behavior: Play Fighting:

Here they are...

 

[BaileyBoy]

this one definitely seems like it is trying to get to the top of the group. top on the pecking order. Doesn't look like play fighting and i don't think toys will help. My first suggestion is to increase the size of your brooder. He or she may become less aggressive if they have more space.

 

[BaileyBoy]

also, i doesn't look like there is a red bulb. looks like the bulb is white/clear

 

[centrarchid]

There is a bit more aggression than I like to see with chicks in confinement but some of the activity has more to do with simply exercise and it does play itself out in pecking order maintenance. What are feeding them? I would try get them more excersise as might be provided by flying up on something for food items like mealworms.

Following link shows an actual fight which you do not want to happen.

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Fighting you are more likely to see with your birds would involve one-way aggression rather than two I show. The smaller birds are fighting back and not being chased about so that is good.

 

[3for3]

They are just eating medicated chick starter. We try giving them treats but they only like bugs (ants and flying creatures we catch on the walls and throw in/etc).

That video was taken after we changed the 250w red bulb to a 60w white bulb. The behavior is the same with both bulbs.

We will have to try getting them outside some I guess. The brooder is about 3ft x 3ft x 3ft. Ample room for 3 babies I think?