My chicks are fighting - 2 weeks old! They think they are Rambo chicks

[thepetpaw]

I dont understand why my chicks are fighting...are they playing.

I have seen adult chickens bump their chest against one another and then peck....well my baby chicks are doing this also. They are not around any larger chcikens to see or copy this behavior... but why would they do this....? Do I have a bunch of roos? It seems that one of my SL polish keeps jumping and bumping my little silkie turken and there is a light Brahma that is getting in on the action and pushing his/her wieght around...is this normal?

I also have three week old chicks in another brooder box and they are not displaying this kind of behavior at all...what do I do about the little tough guys/girls....?

I will take a video tomorrow and show everyone - it is crazy to watch them spar! I am afaraid they might hurt one another...!!!!

 

[Cetawin]

Oh yes it is very normal. They will go through several periods of rambo chest bumping while they establish their pecking order. As they get older, they will define them again...there seems like always one of them has to try to take over.

My group of 21 that are now 6 weeks old have been doing it off and on since about 2 weeks old. Amazingly, the two breeds that are reportedly docile and often get bullied (Cochins and Salmon Faverolles) jump in the action too and take no stuff! I was amazed when one of the RIRs charged a SF and instead of getting bullied, the SF let the RIR have it and backed her into a corner.

And my love bug, Splash Cochin named Luna...she will back em down too. So, unless there is blood drawn, I would not get concerned.

 

[cmom]

They are just establishing their pecking order.

 

[thepetpaw]

Ok thats you guys...I was a little concerned because the older bunch of chiks didnt or are not exibiting this behavior....yet!

 

[willheveland]

My americana pullets did the same thing not long ago.I like how they kinda size each other up.They are just trying to see who is the big boy or girl in the coop.Both sexes do it, Will