Baby Chicks getting eyes pecked by bully

How big is your brooder?  (what are the dimensions?) What is the temp?  Is there space where they can get away from the heat ?(down to about 70*)  How old are the chicks?  Pecking issues are often caused by too much heat (don't believe what "they" tell you.  Chicks don't need as much heat as "they say".   Pecking can also be caused by not enough space.  Once started, it can develop into full blown cannibalism or long term feather picking.  You might look into brooding with a heating pad.  Though with a brood this big, you might need to separate them into 2 groups with 2 heating pads.  The benefit of heating pad:  Quicker feathering, normal day night cycles.  The brooder will be what ever ambient temps are instead of being overheated by a heat lamp.  This more closely mimics the "broody hen" experience, which results in chicks that are less likely to engage in pecking behaviors.



The brooder is 1metre long and half a metre wide and the roof is approximately 50cms high. They are 6 days old. The heat lamp is down one end, two food bowls so they aren't all crowding one and the water is at the other end but they all seem to know where the water and food is. The ones with both eyes shut haven't been eating because they cant see the food and ive been placing their beaks in the water so they can drink. Are the heat pads the ones used for reptiles? Do you cover the heat pad with bedding or just put it in? It seems like its the one chick that is trying to peck every other one so I took him out for a bit and they all were peaceful and as soon as he is back in there he goes for eyes. I tried putting a division between them but he wouldnt shut up and the other chicks stayed restless so I tried putting one chick in with him and he just attacked it.
 
So roughly 1.5 feet x 3.3 feet? It may be too small for 34 chicks, especially as they grow.

I've read in other places that a small mirror can help a noisy isolated chick. They think they have a friend :)

I had a chick that I had to keep an eye on because she started to display some aggression in the form of pecking, and even that was stressful, so I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for you as you try to find a solution. Hoping for the best!
 
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Oh, and I found a small thermometer at chick height helped me to monitor the temp. But you can also tell a lot by the chicks' behavior-- if they are staying toward the end without the lamp and spread out more, that's a sign they are too hot. If they are huddled under the lamp, too cold. Kind of in between and not too close, just right.
 
I am brand new chicken Mom. They hatched 5/17, arrived 5/20, all healthy and adorable. But one made it her main event to peck at eyes! I only know dogs and horses, and while puppy play fights can sound scary, puppies never target their siblings eyes! I was horrified, imagining 9 blind chickens to raise with no experience, and must admit, I did think fleetingly of ringing her neck on the spot. However, my husband the Chicken Man was there and forbid me. So, I deflected her and told her NO, every time except did it, (constantly) , which of course did not work. That's how new I am, I think I can train them voice commands. While I considered my options, I did pick her up and sweet talk her and cuddle her. Thank God I read not to kiss. They are all soooo cute I want to cover them with kisses, like I do my Cockatoo.
My husband got a separate little cage and we isolated her where she could see the flock. Maybe for two hours. She cried the whole time. When we tried her back with her sisters, she has not done it once. But I am thinking she may be the Top Dog. I mean Hen.
If she did not work out of it, I was concerned about her living with the flock, and would have tried making her a house chicken.
 
So roughly 1.5 feet x 3.3 feet? It may be too small for 34 chicks, especially as they grow.

I've read in other places that a small mirror can help a noisy isolated chick. They think they have a friend :)

I had a chick that I had to keep an eye on because she started to display some aggression in the form of pecking, and even that was stressful, so I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for you as you try to find a solution. Hoping for the best!


Yeah I think I'll have to split them, I havent had problems in the past with this size of brooder and the amount of chicks, usually when they look like they have out grown it I move them to an outdoor brooder. I think I'll put the one naughty chick in with older chicks that are off heat and see how he does, Ive heard of people doing this but Ive never had to. I think temperature is all good there is always some sleeping under the lamp and others scratching around the food and water area. Thanks for your advice, I think getting a thermometer would be wise.
 

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