What kind are they? If they are cornish rock cross they should be ready to kill in a week or so. If they are any other breed they won't be ready for another 10 to 12 weeks.

Jody, there are many on this forum that have lots more experience than I so hopefully they will chime in, but here are my thoughts.

Try to spend some time watching the chicks to see if there are just a few trouble makers. If you can separate a few for a while it may help out a lot. By removing a trouble making bird you disrupt the pecking order and when you reintroduce them they have to start out at the bottom and work there way up.

I have 36 chicks the same age as you and they do get into squabbles but having a large coop and outdoor area for them to run around really helps quite a bit. I also have a large table covered with a tarp outside that they use as a safe hiding place when needed, you could try to simulate something like that just to give the weaker ones a place to hide.

If you do plan on eating the cockerels it might be a good idea to separate them from the rest anyway and put them on a meat bird feed to help them fatten up quicker.

-Sheila

Search this site on how to process birds for table, it's been discussed many, many times. :)

As for the fighting, they may be overcrowded and/or bored. Try giving them more space and some distraction in the form of entertaining foods such as raw corn on the cob, the cabbage on a string bit, etc. Something to peck other than their flockmates. :) You can search for this on this forum too and get good info.

Good luck with your birds, you should have some great tasting meals in your future. :)

Velvet ~:>