My three week old Buff Orpingtons and Black Australorps are doing this weird thing: They will face each, squat down, and then proceed to jump up in the air and peck at each other. No serious injuries have been made, but it is quite alarming for a protective father. Anyone recognize this behavior? What is it, some sort of duel to establish pecking order?
Is completely normal, they're just acting out their chicken-ness, getting ready to establish the pecking order when they get out in the big-chick world. Bigger chickens will also do it, sometimes just to play and spar, sometimes to remind each other who's boss, sometimes just to see if they can get by with it... completely normal. If it accelerates to someone getting bloodied or beaten up, then it may be time for some separation.
Yes, what this is is that they've suddenly realized they're chickens So they are doing the same things that adult chickens do (albeit a rather childish version) - fluffing their neck feathers and puffing up and chest-butting. They will probably progress to feet-first jumps at each other, too. This is ok. They are chickens. Chickens do this Have fun, Pat
Our turkey are at that stage right now! It's really funny to see the little jakes try to fan out to impress the hens! They only have these short little stubby tail feathers. Our roosters are even trying to fight the jakes, not successfully, though. And the attempts at crowing?!Crack me up!
Mine do that all the time..it's pretty funny to watch really. They will have a pecking order in no time. My older ones do that on occasion too. LOL
