12 week old runt Buff Orpington being pecked on

[dermerchickens]

My 12 week old runt of the litter, Bitsy, is being pecked on. Her nose and beak are red, in spots, and I am afraid Buddy (12wks) is mating her to much considering she is the runt. I don't see any feathers except the normal molt... But what should I do for the beak? Isolate her with any others that are bad like that? Thanks!

 

[iwiw60]

You mean you have an active rooster mating a 12-week-old?? Waaay too young!

 

[dermerchickens]

Yes.. he started around 11.. he TRYS to mate. I don't think he is fertalized... but a bit of help on the peck thing?

 

[dermerchickens]

Oh and the roo is 12 weeks old

 

[iwiw60]

Well, assuming you want to keep the roo (?) you should definitely trim his spurs down and put protection aprons on that poor young hen!

 

[dermerchickens]

He only has spur bumps, I am going to knit aprons for them.. Should I isolate her and the other one for a while? Because the blood thing... They see it and peck..

 

[dermerchickens]

Yes, we will keep him unless her turns out really mean, he is a great protecter and GENERALLY nice, unless they get on his nerves or something...

 

[enola]

Yes, we will keep him unless her turns out really mean, he is a great protecter and GENERALLY nice, unless they get on his nerves or something...

A twelve week old cockerel that is making bloody wounds needs to be taken out of the pen. He is not trying to breed the young pullets, he is bullying them.

If you seperate him it will change the pecking order. You can try putting him back with the pullets when they are 6 months old.

 

[dermerchickens]

Well, i don't know if it is just him.... and he is their protecter they free-range... They are just like peck wounds on the beck/nose... I am taking the pullets out.., if that doesn't change things once they heal, he will go out for a while.