The chicks I hatched seem overly aggressive.. or is it just my imagination?

[cupman]

I hatched out chickens in mid February. I have 14 left, three roosters and eleven hens. The father was a big rooster, he's in my avatar, he had attitude problems here and there but by the time he was killed by a predator he had mellowed out, we hadn't tangoed in months. I miss the big guy and was hoping to replace my rooster with one of his son's.. to keep the blood line going. Well, they are really aggressive it seems.. at 9 weeks old they want to fight with me. They will stand their ground when I try to herd them in at night. The other chicks I got from the feed store are much more mellow.. Is there something that will cause aggression in chicks? or is there anything you can do to reduce aggression? They all lived under a red heat lamp for the first 6 weeks.

 

[ChicKat]

Could they possibly be hungry? I think when chickens are hungry their agression goes up.

It would be alarming if at this young age they are not fearful of you when you go to herd them in. Could you coax them with something
like----> treats, scratch, sunflower seeds, bread. lettuce---Throw it where you want them to go and see if they run after it.

Good luck with the chicks.

 

[what did I do]

I've noticed a difference in my hatchery chicks and my home hatched chicks. The home hatched chicks are stronger and even at 4 weeks I see a difference in them. I bet a chicken hatched chick is better yet.

 

[Nsampsel]

Sounds like they are starting to take on responsibility as protectors of the hens. I would be less aggressive in the "herding" & try calling them in with treats instead. Sounds like your roos are thinking you may hurt their hens.