Fighting already??

[NewHopePoultry]

My chicks are 3 or so weeks old.
Lately Ive noticed 2 of mine going at it. It gets pretty bad.
I know for sure that the one is a male and Im leaning towords the other one being a male as well.
The one I know is a make is a bantam and the other one is a standard mix breed.
Do males already fight at this age?
What can I do about it?
Im hoping my other 3 are females.

 

[galanie]

Both males and females will fight at that age. Sounds like you've got a pretty aggressive one in the batch. My most aggressive is a pullet. You'll notice them fight less and less and there really isn't anything you can do but separate them. Mine are going on 6 weeks old and now they posture a bit but they don't chest bump or fight much now.

 

[Emmalion]

I just noticed all of mine doing the whole chest bump thing in the past few days. Almost 3 weeks old. I think its funny to watch.

 

[Peaches Lee]

I'm glad you posted. My chicks are about the same age as yours, and just this a.m. one started to pick on another pretty bad. Guess for me its time to build a larger outdoor brooder. I'm thinking mine need the space. They seem pretty bored with their current setup. Anyway, good luck, you're not alone.

 

[NewHopePoultry]

Thanks everyone.
I know the smaller one is a male for sure, but the larger more aggressive one, Im unsure about.
I have them in a pretty good sized brooder for only 5 chicks and I dont really have the space to sperate them, but if I have to I will.
The aggressive one, is the boss for sure. They roost up top and make the others wait to eat or drink.

 

[mommto3kiddos]

I have 2 hens that do this, they jump and fly at each other feet first.. Its wild as sometimes they get a running start at each other. But they have yet to cause damage to each other, just kinda seeing whos gonna be boss I guess!

 

[GhostRider65]

Mine just turned 3 weeks Yesterday, and have been doing this for almost a week already, though I separated a few (13) thinking they were too close together 22 in 1 brooder so it's calmed down some. I separated them because 1 of my RLW's seems injured, she is eating well and drinking, but hurt her legs/ hips/back maybe, she lays down a lot her belly is actually featherless, and when she poohs she almost falls on her butt, or when she gets down she almost falls on her face. she can walk ok though somewhat slower than the others and stiff or hesitantly and she can move quick when you try to grab her, but still something is amiss. I added an extra feeder/water closer to her and removed the small perch I don't think she can jump it to get to the other feeders.
Any suggestions on helping her, I don't feel anything is broken, but I ain't no Dr. Will they always spare now? or just the roo's? Kim

 

[juliette2009]

My seramas do the same thing at that age it's very entertaining to watch!

 

[NewHopePoultry]

Will they hurt each other at this age?

 

[fried green eggs]

My chicks range from 4 weeks to 2 weeks and last friday morning all was well but, by friday eve. my 6 newest ones -meaties that are about the same size already, where bloody and missing feathers on their stomach, backs and some tail feathers so I seperated and doctored them. The rest 14 RIR,BSL and EE's are still getting along fine. I think they are canabals. The meaties are healing well and am hoping when I get them all in their new coop I won't have problems putting them back together. Good Luck.