RIR Starting to fight

[Dusty8ball]

Hi guys and dolls,

Just a quick question. I'm new to raising chick, and I Have 5 week old Rhode Island Reds. There are a few of them starting to fight each other. I'm not sure if its playing or working out the pecking order (pun intended). Is it just the cockerels who do this or do the pullets do it as well?

 

[sonjab314]

They are establishing their pecking order. The cockerels and the pullets will both do it. There will be lots of chest bumps and jumping on each other to show dominance. As long as no one gets hurt, they are fine. If you see them picking one chick in particular that they are being bullies and Id separate them. Good luck

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Hi guys and dolls,

Just a quick question. I'm new to raising chick, and I Have 5 week old Rhode Island Reds. There are a few of them starting to fight each other. I'm not sure if its playing or working out the pecking order (pun intended). Is it just the cockerels who do this or do the pullets do it as well?

Oh, your Rhode Island Reds are not playing, their dead serous. In a chickens' world there is nothing more serous that the social standing of which chick or chicken is currently on the top of the social registry, and which one is stuck at the bottom of the pecking order.

 

[Dusty8ball]

Thanks guy's, good to know. Will pay a little more attention to there behavior and watch out for the little ones.

 

[Dusty8ball]

Hi guys, My Chickens have stopped fighting, and have started climbing. I for sure have at least to roosters just because of the size of them. they are much bigger and I feel a big difference in wight as well.