I have 19 just over 2 months old chicks. It's about half and half for males and females all in the same pen, but the boys will be getting their own pen and coop soon. They don't usually peck me unless they think I have food and only peck real hard if I'm making them nervous (like trying to touch a bird that doesn't like to be touched). They really only peck each other every now and then and mostly when they are all gathering for food and one gets too close to another when "foraging".
So how much of the pecking is just establishing the "pecking order" and when does it become too much? Is there anything I can do to ensure it doesn't get worse? I don't want to cull (in any way).
So how much of the pecking is just establishing the "pecking order" and when does it become too much? Is there anything I can do to ensure it doesn't get worse? I don't want to cull (in any way).