Does Baby Chicks Bulley?

[Eggwell]

I have baby chicks about 4 weeks old, and I've noticed there is a lot of staring down, and the bigger ones jumping on the runts. Is this bullying? What can I do to stop it? They have a fairly large brooder, and plenty of food and water. Three of them are really small, and I fear it is because they are not allowed to eat when they want. Any information is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[AmericanMom]

I have baby chicks about 4 weeks old, and I've noticed there is a lot of staring down, and the bigger ones jumping on the runts. Is this bullying? What can I do to stop it? They have a fairly large brooder, and plenty of food and water. Three of them are really small, and I fear it is because they are not allowed to eat when they want. Any information is appreciated. Thanks.

I hatched out 20 eggs last fall and had the same issue, four were smaller with one being an absolute runt. I checked and made sure they were all eating but upon reading here realized its normal chicken behavior and unless they are brutal and chicks are getting injured I decided to leave them alone. They are doing what chickens do, establishing a pecking order. The chicks are now almost 4 months old, we had to cull two of them because they were splay legged and even tho we followed the directions of many here it didn't work. And then one we lost to a hawk. As long as you give them plenty of space, ample food and water they will work it out.

 

[Eggwell]

That's a relief, thank you!

 

[AmericanMom]

That's a relief, thank you!

Just make sure the smaller ones are getting plenty of food and water..

 

[chickengeorgeto]

As long as there are 2 or more chicks or chickens in your flock you will have chickens that are winners and you will have chickens that are losers. Contrary to what some believe chickens do not bully their flock mates. In humans the act of bullying is a conscience decision, chickens act on instinct. What you see in your 4 week old chicks is the normal and natural manifestation of chicken behavior ie the pecking order in operation.

The more health, vim, vigor, and vitality each of your individual chickens displays, the more likely it is that that one particular chicken will rise to the top of the pecking order. Chicken society is what it is, but whatever else, chicken society is Darwinism in motion.

The smaller ones may not be able to eat ALL they want not when they want. To cure this add a feeder or two and space them as far apart as is practical.

 

[Eggwell]

Sounds like you're saying it is a natural progression to establish who is going to be the boss. I have a feeder in all 4 corners of a large brooder containing 15 chicks, and 2 waters in opposite ends. Even though it is natural, I really hate to see the big chicks picking on the little ones.

 

[aart]

What are the dimensions of your 'large' brooder?

Chicken squabble and pick on each other, it's just how they roll.....normal chicken behavior can't really be equated with human behaviors.

 

[Eggwell]

My brooder is 52" x 32" and I have 15 chicks that will be 5 weeks old this Sunday Jan. 19.

 

[JRGriff]

What are the dimensions of your 'large' brooder?

Chicken squabble and pick on each other, it's just how they roll.....normal chicken behavior can't really be equated with human behaviors.

X2. I hatched 3 Bantams and 4 large fowl within a day of each other and moved quickly to the brooder. On day one, the pushing, pecking, stomping on each other had started. Once everyone was snuggling together and things seemed calm - it was ultimately a "time out" and the pecking order went right back into action. Will always be and won't change.

 

[aart]

My brooder is 52" x 32" and I have 15 chicks that will be 5 weeks old this Sunday Jan. 19.

I'd say that's pretty darn crowded.