Bare stripe down the breastbone of my 1.5wk chicks

[QChickieMama]

Looks like there are no feathers/down right down the center of their tummies. Does this mean they're pecking at each other? Or themselves? I have 8 chicks in a recycling bin. Was already thinking of setting up a 2nd brooder so they'd have more space.

THink this is a crowding issue?

 

[RonC]

Possibly could be they are picking on each other. More room is always good. Less overcrowding means less aggression. Read where they should have 1-2 sq ft per bird while in the brooder.

 

[LaynaDon95]

If they are that young then they may just not be feathering on their chests yet. They frequently feather on either side of the breastbone before feathering down the middle strip.