I brought home two, week old chicks on Tuesday. I was told they were both Barred Rocks, but it would appear one is a Black Sex Link (female). Today, added to the brooder two, week old, Lavender Orpingtons.
Well, now I am noticing the BSL is pecking! Pecking at me and at the other chicks!
Is this sort of stress related, or related to the new dynamics of the new additions? It is not just pecking at the new chicks, but it's former brooder mate, the BR, too. And what the heck should I do about it pecking at me?
Should I let it be? Will things settle down? Is this normal? Should I separate the more aggressive/dominant chick or is this part of establishing a "pecking order".
The BR and BSL are almost two weeks old, to the best of my knowledge (I got them at Morrison Agway so don't know the exact hatch date) and the Lavender Orpingtons were born last Sunday, so are exactly a week old. Adding a pair of EE/Americaunas at the end of the week. Are BSLs more dominant than the other breeds, I hadn't anticipated getting this breed and had been told since the store made a mixup I could return it, so I am wondering if I should...
