my chicks are...misbehaving?

[mirandamommy]

My chicks (5 weeks old) seem to be charging each other. One will jump toward another, causing them to startle and run. Is this typical? Could it be a sign that some of my girls are really boys?

 

[silkiechicken]

Normal behavior! At this age boys and girls chest bump to figure out who is top and whos not.

 

[Dodgegal79]

Mine are only a week old and do that. I have some older and they like to try and do little cockfights.

 

[sweetshoplady]

I watched two of mine have a little cock fight, putting their feathers up and jumping at each other. I thought iit was funny. One of my little 5 week olds has really big feet and thick legs. He likes to be the center of attention.

Its fun watching them play.

 

[SillyChick]

Yes - normal behavior - they're showing who's boss! My chicks do that a lot - They just go silent then suddenly - clutter clutter!

 

[luvmychicknkids]

I thought it was just adorable when my little ones did that. Trying to be so tough.

Now they all get along great........I suppose that was the beginning of establishing their pecking order.

 

[Scrambled Egg]

I love the chest butting the best, that will be next when they get better balance!!

 

[Henrietta23]

Mine have been doing the chest butting thing since they were a week old. I'm just hoping boys AND girls do it!

 

[mirandamommy]

yeah, I've been losing a little hope that all of mine are girls. do both males and females display these behaviors? can you tell the roos from the girls based upon behaviors or do you just have to wait for a crow?

 

[luvmychicknkids]

I (obviously, by my other posts) know painfully little about sexing chickens but my babies who are now laying eggs also did this.

I was terrified I had 9 roosters for awhile!!!