New chicks severely pecked. Should I be worried?

[HappyHandsHomestead]

Greetings! I purchased three 4-5 week old chicks yesterday from a reputable hatchery in town, and I am appalled by how horribly pecked they are. They seem to be very highly stressed and look and act nothing like the six chicks I raised from hatching (who ended up all being males except one, and I had to find them homes, hence why I bought the three new ones). I don’t know if this is normal. What can I do to save them? I am feeling as though they were kept in too tight of quarters - they’re totally wound up and the largest of the three is still pecking at the other two. I thought they looked awful, but I couldn’t stand to leave them behind. I am considering reporting the hatchery because this seems inhumane to me. I think I might take the remaining two that were in the mix just to give them a good life. How can I get them back on track? And, any thoughts about whether or not this is to be expected from breeders? Thank you.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Pecking at that age is generally from crowding and boredom. It can become a habit of it goes on too long. Generally getting them out on grass and ground so there's things to do and room to run can help to break the habit.