Two week old EE picking fights

[clwscott]

We have four two-week-old chicks in a brooder. One of the EEs is picking fights with the other chicks. This chick is a little whinier than the others, but we blame that on its momma. Any idea why this chick would be picking on its hatch mates already?

All seem to be healthy; eating, drinking, good poo.

 

[junebuggena]

Pecking order behavior can start as early as one week old.

 

[clwscott]

Wow. We've hatched/raised many other chicks and have never seen it this early.

 

[Southguy]

Pecking order. We noticed the same behavior with our Golden Comet baby chick when she was a week old. We had to make a 'baby chick hospital' because she would get too aggressive with some of the other chicks. Everyone made it to adulthood just fine - and she is no longer the alpha chicken!

 

[N F C]

I agree with the other posters...they'll start determining the flock pecking order young. Unless someone is getting injured/bleeding, I'd let them sort it out. It's not fun to watch but it's normal for someone to come out on top and the rest below.