fighting chicks

[Tansie]

Hi guys,

I have four chicks and it seems that two are almost constantly fighting. One is almost definitely a boy because it has grown so much quicker and is so much bigger than the others. The other is the smallest and is still yet to grow most of it's feathers. They hatched the same day from similar sized eggs if that is relevant. Anyway, they keep flapping and flying at each other, or just running at each other. If they make direct eye contact they both stand tall and stare at each other, then run at each other. This morning when I turned on their general light I saw the smaller chick in the other end of the brooder with no heat, fast asleep. The other three were in the "nest" area under the heat lamp and fast asleep.

I'm concerned that the little one is being bullied. It has also got dark shading around the top of its beak this morning. Is there anything I can do to try and stop the fighting? I have never hatched chicks before but I don't think it is pecking order because the big chick and the other two get along fine,and the other two get along fine with the small one. It is just between the big and small

The photo of them sleeping was not this morning, but it shows the segregation

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[Folly's place]

Welcome! Is anyone actually injured? I'd have a bigger brooder and see if they work it out themselves. If you must separate, move the larger chick, making sure the heat gradient is fine for all of them. If you are using a white light, switch to the red. Mary

 

[azygous]

You almost certainly are dealing with two cockerels. You aren't going to be able to stop them from what is natural to their nature. The larger one isn't bullying the smaller one if the smaller one also is posturing. If bullying were occurring, the smaller one would be always on the run from the bigger one.

The best thing to do is nothing. Let them get their relationship established early on, and perhaps when the hormones come into the picture, they will have already determined which one is alpha and the fighting won't be as violent.

Currently I have two chicks out of four that are doing what your two are doing, and they've done this practically from the first week. They're eight weeks old now, and one is beginning to crow. The other is getting colorful saddle feathers, so I know what I'm dealing with.

I've had two roosters in the past raised together that couldn't settle their differences without bloodying each other. I'm keeping my fingers crossed these two will get along and make life easier on everyone.

 

[KathieMc]

This is also a behavior for pullets as well...I have 15 five week old pullets and they've been showing this same (squaring off) behavior for awhile. It's just their way of figuring out who's going to be top dog and where the rest of the flock fits in.

 

[donrae]

I don't necessarily agree that they're both cockerels based only on behavior. I've had lots of pullets posture and flap and fight each other. Girls have to figure out who is boss, too

. I agree to give them more space and let them work it out unless there's injury. Someone's got to be the bottom of the pecking order, hard as it is for humans to watch sometimes.