[gracie]

Today two of my boys have been fighting as their faces are a mess. I haven't seen any sign of this before other than the usual chest bumping. I have been told this could get worse. I go away next weekend so didn't intend to get my two new girls until after I get back and the same day the boys were going to their new home. If I were to send the boys away and not get the new ones until the next week would the two girls I had left stress at having their numbers reduced so drastically. I know one was squeaking loudly when she was shut in the run the other day as she was distressed at being alone. Will they be better in a pair. Just don't want unhappy chickens, but also don't want them hurting each other.

[GrannieAnnie]

I'd say they'd probably be happier without 2 boys scrapping over them!  It won't hurt them to be just 2 for that little while gracie.

[gracie]

Thanks GA, they are only just over 7 weeks old, would they be doing that already. I actually have 4 boys that will go,2 are marked but tonight I saw the action myself between one of the marked boys and an unmarked one. It looks like they are locking beaks. Not sure who instigated it. Felt very sad when I had my evening sit in the run with them (I know I am a mad chicken mummy) their faces look so sore but were all perfectly happy sitting on their outdoor perch together.
I did tell them to play nicely, but don't think they listened