chick bullies- how to tell "normal pecking order" stuff vs. aggression

Date sort Score sort
theback40

theback40

In the Brooder
Jan 1, 2017
40
2
45
the valley, AZ
hello,,
a "pecking order" question, if you don't mind?

my day-old mixed flock chicks arrived today,, now i'm official! i'm already seeing the 'pecking order' thing, but one (a barred rock) concerns me. there's another BR, and is not doing what this one is doing. she is not only pecking at the eyes of the others but grabbing at their eyes, n i'm afraid of traumatic injury (i have some very rare breeds in there n would hate to have to replace or put down).

i separated the one w cardboard partition 8" high, n the doggone thing just found a way to get back over!! (this one's strong!) i can't go higher bc they must share the heat lamp, n that's as high as i can go w the 'wall'...

should i b concerned?? does this one need to b culled?? i cant keep it separated.

i would appreciate your response and experience. thanks!
 
Some chicks are a pain. I've had eye and toe peckers. They seem drawn to shiny things and stuff that looks like worms, so it can be fairly common in the first few days. If it isn't bad ignore it, it should stop. I put shiny glass stones in my brooder to give the chicks something to focus on.

If the chick is relentless that a small wire circle or cage can be fashioned for a few days to keep the troublemaker in jail. They all grow out of it within the first week.
 
oldhenlikesdogs said:
Some chicks are a pain. I've had eye and toe peckers. They seem drawn to shiny things and stuff that looks like worms, so it can be fairly common in the first few days. If it isn't bad ignore it, it should stop. I put shiny glass stones in my brooder to give the chicks something to focus on.

If the chick is relentless that a small wire circle or cage can be fashioned for a few days to keep the troublemaker in jail. They all grow out of it within the first week.
Click to expand...
Ditto Dat^^^
It usually subsides pretty quicky.
Lots of space and distractions can really help.

If I get an incorrigible I use the 'chick jail' made out of 1/2" hardware cloth.
Couple of 30 minute timeouts under this while it's hatch mates laugh at it usually does the trick.
 
aart said:
Ditto Dat^^^ It usually subsides pretty quicky. Lots of space and distractions can really help. If I get an incorrigible I use the 'chick jail' made out of 1/2" hardware cloth. Couple of 30 minute timeouts under this while it's hatch mates laugh at it usually does the trick.
Click to expand...
I did this last year for the first time after reading it from one of your post. It worked wonderfully. Mine was just a circle of hardware cloth. It was so satisfying to jail up the troublemaker. I released her here and there to eat and drink. The chick was one day older than it's hatch mates and wasn't happy having company, or maybe she was happy to have them to pick on. I really appreciated your idea.
 
Thanks so much for the info!!! I used the carton my chicks came in for a "time out" box,,, or "chick tent city", as I do live in AZ, lol!! Worked great!! N you were right, the chicks just seemed to grow right out of it!!!

I really appreciate the advice,, as it literally saved that chick's life!!! I was so close to culling it!
 
theback40 said:
Thanks so much for the info!!! I used the carton my chicks came in for a "time out" box,,, or "chick tent city", as I do live in AZ, lol!! Worked great!! N you were right, the chicks just seemed to grow right out of it!!!

I really appreciate the advice,, as it literally saved that chick's life!!! I was so close to culling it!
Click to expand...
Good Deal!
That first observation of their viciousness can be very alarming.
Good to learn early that you can modify some 'bad' behaviors.


Re:eek:vation comment from @oldhenlikesdogs
"You are a genius"
Not hardly, haha, just a creative problem solver who likes to 'build stuff'.
 
Last edited:
aart said:
Good Deal!
That first observation of their viciousness can be very alarming.
Good to learn early that you can modify some 'bad' behaviors.


Re:eek:vation comment from @oldhenlikesdogs

[COLOR=333333]"You are a genius"[/COLOR]
[COLOR=333333]Not hardly, haha, just a creative problem solver who likes to 'build stuff'.[/COLOR]
Click to expand...
I'm still sticking with genius.
1f600.png
 

Similar threads

F
    • Like
Drama in the Flock!
Replies
8
Views
978
Mrs. K
Mrs. K
P
    • Like
Us vs them orpingtons
Replies
3
Views
242
RojoMarz
RojoMarz
LadyCogburn
Bully now gets Bullied
Replies
1
Views
969
Crazy Maizie
Crazy Maizie
bumblychicken
What is a normal amount of pecking?
2
Replies
10
Views
713
Ralph_Mueller
Ralph_Mueller
Samanternat
Non layer in nesting box and being picked on
Replies
7
Views
394
Samanternat
Samanternat

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom