Chicks Gone Wild

[KFox]

Last night I moved my chicks from the brooder to the shed. The shed is being converted to a coop. I used a dog play yard to contain them. They have about twice as much space as they did in the brooder container.

As soon as they got in the larger space, we had pecking, chest bumping and even the most tame little chicks run around like fools! One of the Golden Comet girls was actually "kickin' chickens" as my 10-year-old reported. If a chick gets in her way, she flips her foot forward and kind of punts them.

Is this just figuring out pecking order because they are in a new space? One of my 3 wk Sebright Bantams chest bumped a Golden Comet pullet and she pecked his/her head. Is this normal and how long will it go on?

 

[breezychick]

I let mine free range every evening and they do this everytime. I think they are just so excited to
have space. Its really funny to watch. I really love the chest bumping. It reminds me of a football
team getting ready for a game. lol