scratching the ground

[warren]

At what age do chicks start their little run, scratch and back step routine when they are looking for food?
They even do it when the food is in a dish and plainly visible.

 

[panner123]

If they wait until they are a week old to do this, they are late bloomers.

 

[DDRanch]

I will be very interested in the more experienced folks on this site answering your question. I can tell you that All of my chicks started running around and scratching from the time I brought them home....about 1 week old.

I have only one, a Delaware, at the bottom of the pecking order, who does a head bobbing and bowing, then backing up movements to most of the others and occasionally to me as well. I thought the lowered head and backing up was a sign of submission or protection. My other girls do not display this behavior........only the picked on one.

What does it mean?

Anne

 

[warren]

I am really surprised. I have only just noticed that mine do this. I thought that it was something to do with starting to lay as mine are about 21 weeks old. I must be very unobservant!