my 5 week old chicks keep fighting

[Katedw69]

I am brand new to chicken raising. I have 5 week old chicks. I just moved them out to their new coop. I dont have an established flock so I don't have to worry about introducing birds. There is plenty of space. I know they are very nervous because of being in a totally new environment but they are fighting like never before. Should I do something? Is this normal? I know pecking order but they are fighting like cocks fight (and supposedly they are all pullets!)

 

[jolenesdad]

I am brand new to chicken raising. I have 5 week old chicks. I just moved them out to their new coop. I dont have an established flock so I don't have to worry about introducing birds. There is plenty of space. I know they are very nervous because of being in a totally new environment but they are fighting like never before. Should I do something? Is this normal? I know pecking order but they are fighting like cocks fight (and supposedly they are all pullets!)

Welcome to BYC!!!! We are lucky to have you.

How big of a space are they in and how many chicks do you have? What food feeders and waterers are you using? Are they in a run or just a coop? Where is it located?

 

[cluckadoodledoo13]

If you have more than one roo then the most likely reason is because they are fighting for dominance.

 

[coloradowildflower]

Great questions above. One more: do you have heat/lights on? If so, how long each day and what is your temperature? Overheated or overlighted chicks can often be aggressive.

 

[Katedw69]

Welcome to BYC!!!! We are lucky to have you.

How big of a space are they in and how many chicks do you have? What food feeders and waterers are you using? Are they in a run or just a coop? Where is it located?

9 chicks in a 4x10 coop lots of roosts. It was their first night in it. I do have a big run but I've read over and over to just keep them in the coop until they are comfortable and feel like its their home so they go in by themselves at night so I was just keeping them in that for now. Its in my yard (I have 2 acres) I turned the heat lamp off during the days but turn it off at night and I have hanging feeders and water bucket with the little cups.

 

[Katedw69]

Great questions above. One more: do you have heat/lights on? If so, how long each day and what is your temperature? Overheated or overlighted chicks can often be aggressive.

I have a red heat lamp on at night only because it was in the 50s last night but turned it off this morning when it hit 74

 

[Doc7]

What does keep fighting mean? If you see them puffing their chests/flapping wings at or against each other once a minute or so that is entirely normal behavior even for pullets at this age. The text you posted doesn’t indicate serious problems with the setup you have.

if by keep fighting you mean they are constantly pecking each other to blood that’s a serious problem. But a small skirmish every 15-30 seconds will be noted at periods throughout the day while you watch your small chicks become used to pecking orders etc.

 

[Katedw69]

If you have more than one roo then the most likely reason is because they are fighting for dominance.

They are too little to be able to tell for sure yet. There is 1 that I'm watching but thats not the 1 thats been fighting.

 

[coloradowildflower]

Your setup sounds great. My suspicion is that it's just normal chick behavior. As stated above--injuries are a serious problem, but posturing/chest-bumping/a little chasing is normal at this stage. Good job being diligent!

 

[getaclue]

Doc7 is correct. They chest bump, jump on each other, run at each other, and all that is normal. It's not fighting. If they are pecking, and drawing blood, or causing injury, that is different.