Dueling Chicks

[Mikeeeeeeeeee]

RIR's.
2 weeks old.

They will face off and lower their heads staring at each other.
Then one will make the move and off they go flapping and twisting around.
Then one will grab the other by the back of the neck for a few seconds.

A few minutes later, they are at it again.

Roosters?


Also, on RIRs. Will the roos get tailfeathers before the pullets?

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Most likely they are just settling their pecking order. As for the feathers, the pullets tend to feather in faster than the roos.

 

[ibpboo]

My RIR pullets do the same thing, even at 4 months they are still doing this.

 

[swtangel321]

all my chicks do this, they play !!!!! I call it the mirror.... They copy each other !!! Funny as long as they arent hurting each other to bad !!!!

 

[ibpboo]

Here is a link to pictures of my RIR's. My 4 month olds still do what you are talking about, and they are pullets.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=69289

 

[gritsar]

Both pullets and cockerels practice this dueling. They are setting up their pecking order.

 

[Mikeeeeeeeeee]

All I know is it is hilarious to watch.
Like little bitty fuzzy sumo wrestlers.

 

[KellyHM]

You mean there's still hope for my 2-month-old Silkies? I was thinking I have 2 little roos. Maybe they're both hens!

 

[cmom]

They will do this for awhile. They are establishing their pecking order. They are so funny to watch. They fluff up and run towards each other and do the chest bump. The Roos do Show their feathers before the pullets. Did you get a straight run or were they sexed?

 

[Mikeeeeeeeeee]

Quote:I bought into a straight run of 21 chicks.
I got 5 when they were 8 days old.

If the tailfeathers show up 1st in the roos, then I will end up with a trio.
( will either auction or eat the 2 other roos.)
I have 3 birds with tailfeathers.