Chicks fighting

[chickens really]

Hello,
Is it normal for 2 week old chicks to throw themselves at each other?
I just noticed the chicks running like crazy and jumping on each other.

Thanks

Yes, and No..Chicks require room or they fight..Normal Chicks will engage in battles. It's like all babies learn through play..

 

[chickens really]

Each chick has two square feet of space.

Okay and breeds..?..Entertaining things to hop on and off, dust baths?...Mirror to see other Chicks?...

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

Are they in an indoor brooder of some sort? How big is it? Everyone is probably right about establishing a pecking order, but they may well be just bored silly. Just in case you are brooding in a typical brooder box, here are a couple of suggestions.

They know there's a big world out there, and they are tired of constant heat and light and seeing the walls of a box. All they have to burn off their excess energy is each other. You could try putting some distractions in there...... large marbles make for a fun game of chick-soccer once they get over being afraid of them! They're shiny and when they peck at them, they move! Wow! You can also get a large clump of sod from your garden -roots, weeds, grasses, little bugs and all. Just dig it up with a shovel and put it in the brooder, grass side down. They'll be terrified at first. There's a big alien in there and it's going to eat them alive. But then one or two will go over and start to peck at it, and before you know it they're pecking, scratching, flying up on top of it, and playing King of the Mountain. This has other benefits. It exposes them to the microbes and fungi that will naturally be present in the ground they're going to be living on, they pick out little bits of chick-sized grit, a lucky one might find an earthworm, they learn to forage, and as it breaks down they love to dust bathe in the dirt. I usually do this when mine are just a couple of days old, even though I raise them outside in a wire brooder within the run.

If they were being raised out in the coop by a broody hen, they'd have been out running around their big world, exploring and learning to be chickens at just a couple of days old, regardless of the temperatures out there. If they want to warm up, they go find her and tuck under for a few minutes, then they're right back out there going at full tilt. They're dust bathing, finding little tidbits to nibble on, digging, scratching, eating dirt, and they're just too busy to be be bored. At night they scrootch under her when the sun goes down and sleep all night through. When the sun comes up, they pop out, grab a bite of breakfast and a drink of water, and they're back at it.

Good luck with your energetic little bunch! And welcome to BYC!

I’m glad I saw your reply to this post. My chicks are inside, and are about 4 weeks old. They are in a huge puppy whelping box. Lots of room. Some posts say just give them medicated baby food for 8 weeks....but I have started giving them chopped grass,...berries, a dirt bath, and yesterday they very quickly chased down some live crickets. After they ate the crickets...the chicks seem like they are crazy. They are running, and flapping their wings and trying to fly!! Im just trying to keep them busy, and happy but I still think they are bored. Today we will try marbles! Lol

 

[Threewyandottes]

For distractions(different levels), do you think twigs would work?

 

[Threewyandottes]

Each chick has two square feet of space.

 

[Threewyandottes]

Thanks everyone, i am going to put in some (disinfected) twigs and maybe a mirror if i can!