My chicks are battering each other!!

[Dewsetter]

Is it usual for chicks to beat each other up? This is my second hatch and my last ones were angels. These 5 are now two days old (all large fowl of different breeds) and they are always squabbling and pecking each other. Sometimes they even end up with a beak full of down from dragging each other about, sometimes it's by a wing which really makes them swear! It's not just one chick who is the culprit either, they all seem to have a go at one another. They never seem to do any damage but it's horrible to watch. Is this normal behaviour? I am hoping it's just a temporary phase and they will grow out of it in a day or so, is this likely to happen?
Many thanks in advance.

 

[dianaross77]

Well, that sounds brutal. But if they're all doing it and no one is drawing blood, I'd let them sort it out. I would've thought overcrowding could be an issue but since there's only five unless you're keeping them in a shoebox, they should be fine.

 

[CinnamonQueen12]

They could be stressed. Have you lowered the wattage of the bulb, or even switched the white light out for a red one. (if you are using a white light) If nothing works, try separating them for a few days, see if that works.

 

[Dewsetter]

Thanks guys, the brooder is quite big but I am warming up a huge one as I type, if only to give them more room to run away!
The light I am using although it is infrared has got a large white spot in the middle of the bulb (I don't know why???) so the new brooder has got red only.
Thanks once again

 

[m.r.heavenlyhens]

I had a problem with a group of chicks that I had under a regular light bulb. I think that I read here at BYC to make sure and have a red light heat bulb and it really did seem to stop the picking of the chicks at each other. I hope it helps. misty

 

[cmom]

I would use a red bulb too. I think it is more calming.

 

[hcppam]

everyone always talks about red bulbs? I used a regular during the day and a black reptile bulb at night more work, but everyone got some sleep. LOL