Chicks attacking newborn chicks inside the incubator!!

[cupman]

I had two chicks hatch yesterday morning. They have been hanging out in the incubator. Well, I've had three more hatch today and so far the two oldest have been pecking the newborns. One even grabbed onto the newborn's leg and dragged it 3 or 4 inches. I cracked the lid and grabbed the chicks as fast as I possibly could and put them in my brooder. I still have over 25 eggs left yet to hatch and I have plans later in the day. Is there anything causing this? I'd hate to come home and have a bunch of dead newborns because of a bully.

 

[Judy]

Hopefully they are just curious, exploring their world, and looking for something to forage. It's instinctive for them to start foraging for food within a day or so of hatch.

I do think occasionally you get a bully who's so bad he/she has to go, for the good of the rest, though.