Savage Chick Battles

[Reurra]

Im not sure whats going on. Ive never dealt with this issue before.

I hope someone here can help!

Chicks hatched out Friday afternoon.

Last night its like battle royal.

3 chicks are doing it. If we put them in a dark warm box they are fine together. But the moment we put them in the brooder they blow up on eachother. Its not little pecks its grabbing on and trying to tear at eachother! They even pick on the 1 week old chicks with them!

Ive never seen this behavior before in chicks this young!!

Tonight i will reduce the heat because i read that could be part of it. Im also going to get some red bulbs.

If this doesnt stop im not sure what to do!
Any ideas??

The brooder is 2ft wide by 4ft long. There are 15 chicks. The breed is EE/Wellsummer x Svart Hona.

 

[kriz the farmer]

are they getting enough nutrition

 

[kriz the farmer]

are they all roosters

 

[Egghead_Jr]

They need more space. That's a large brooder but gets cramped as they grow resulting in behavior problems if not resolved.

You don't say how old the oldest chicks are. If they are nearing 4 weeks just put them to coop now. I imagine Nova Scotia is plenty warm enough this time of year to turn birds out over 3 weeks old.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Photos of your brooder would be helpful
A video of the battles, helpful and may be entertaining

What breed are these chicks?

The first thing I would look at is space. Can you make more room for them?
Changing the color of your lamp may also help. You might want to consider using a heating pad system instead.

Look forward to your reply.

 

[JDN]

They need more space. That's a large brooder but gets cramped as they grow resulting in behavior problems if not resolved.

You don't say how old the oldest chicks are. If they are nearing 4 weeks just put them to coop now. I imagine Nova Scotia is plenty warm enough this time of year to turn birds out over 3 weeks old.

OP said they hatched Friday, which would make them less than a week...

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Oh, OP said they even pick on the one week olds. I assumed they were older.

I can't see 4 day old birds having actual battle royale. Plenty of space and believe it's normal pecking order.

 

[chickendreams24]

I believe it could be normal curiosity and learning about the environment. In the incubator I have seen chicks attack each other's feet and even drag one another.

It's not a certain thing but I think it's a possibility.

I would definitely change to a red bull and see if that helps.

 

[kriz the farmer]

may be some where they tasted meat or any injured bird thats why they are behaving wierd

 

[Reurra]

Ever see roosters fight? Kicking, chest butting, screaming, grabbing at feathers and tearing just like sharks do. Its a full bite with shaking, the intent to tear.

Ill try to get pictures when i get home. Right now my son is babysitting trying to keep them apart.

One thing he observed is they seem to want to chase the others away from the warmth and light.

All thr chicks are under 2 weeks old.

None of them has had any meat or contact with injured chicks. They leave the day olds alone.