I have two pet chickens. Today they started seriously fighting-biting and pulling beaks, pulling out feathers, jumping on each other. All pretty violently and they seem to be on "automatic" We do not know their age-probably 8-9 weeks??( a bit bigger than a big pigeon) or their type.
The most worrying thing is that one of them is smaller and has a very crooked neck (and because of that sort of flops down) and are very afraid he will be hurt or worse.
They are separated right now (one on my lap, one outside) but they cry when not with each other or at least with one of us...but we can't be here all the time.
Does anyone have any ideas of what to do? They are out sweeties.
katharine
I have five chickens. They often fight. I have two roosters, father and son. The son will try to kill the father so the father is in a separate section but often escapes and gets pummeled. I have a 9-week-old hen, Chickie, whose own mother turned on her a few weeks ago and tries to hurt her if she can. She'll chase, bite, stomp, etc. Such is the way of chickens. They are constantly trying to establish a pecking order and dominance. Your two are the same age as Chickie so I'm surprised they're already fighting. It's too soon for sex to be an issue (roosters often fight with roosters) but you might very well have two boys. Most chicken infighting is not fatal but sometimes they do get hurt. My older rooster had his dew claw ripped out in the first huge fight with his son.
Chickens do need each other (but they'd probably not admit it!). I suggest putting the chickens together in neutral territory with something to preoccupy them both (some tasty mealworms perhaps?). If they get along, try longer periods together. You will have to allow them to fight some. They will stop once they figure out who is in charge. It's when they are of equal strength that the fighting doesn't stop (like with my roosters).
Did the one have a crooked neck before the fight? If not, then it's neck could have been hurt. You can take the chick to a vet to be looked at. If the one baby is injured, be sure not to let the other one beat up on it. You might consider putting a fence divider in the cage so they can't fight but can see each other and "talk."
I hope your chickens are not hurt and can learn to get along. If you post or send me photos, I may be able to tell you what variety they might be and possibly their sex as well.
Enjoy them while they're little!
lol, that last thing is right i had 75 chicks 50 now and all grown up. :) my 14 cocks go around there pen and fight none stop but they never would kill each other. I hope they dont start killing each other :( ... :unsure: