Fighting, or just playing?

[LittleSquid416]

I have 3 3 week old bantam, and one barnyard mix who might be a bit older. The mix(Scuttlebutt) has been tussling with the tiniest chick (Beans), but I can't tell if it's just them playing with each other, or more serious. I picked Scuttlebutt up last night to separate them, and Beans came over chirping like she was looking for Scuttle. When I put Scuttle back, Beans ran over and put her head down under Scuttle and Scuttle kind of groomed her head a little? I just don't want to let it go and have someone get hurt. If they're just playing, I'd hate to separate them and upset them. We expanded the brooder to see if they were just bored, but they still go back and forth!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Chicks will play fight, it's practice for real life when they eventually end up actually getting into a fight with a flock mate, or an outsider.

 

[sourland]

Play fighting is common among both pullets and cockerels and is part of structuring the pecking order.