3 week old chicks being pecked at

[snowie]

This is our first batch of chicks ever. 3 of the chicks have been pecked at in the rear end/tail area. It is bloody and raw. We've separated the ones that have been injured. Why is this happening and what can we do to prevent it? The chicks are in a 4' x 8' brooder in our basement.

 

[kazoo1111]

Ouch. Well you can give the pecker a "timeout" when she bites also they sell beak clippers so that when they peck it won't hurt they others as much.

 

[cafarmgirl]

How many do you have in the brooder and how old are they? I'd watch them carefully and see if you can figure out who is doing the pecking and if it's just one or if it's more. I'd pull out the ones doing the pecking and I hate to say it but I probably wouldn't keep them. Once they get started on that habit it can be hard to break. If they are old enough maybe it's time to move them to their coop, get them in as much space as possible with plenty to keep them occupied.

 

[snowie]

They are 10 chicks. I think they are getting antsy in the brooder but they are not ready to go outside yet, they are only 3 weeks old.

Is there anything I should do with the injured ones? It doesn't look too bad but I feel bad for our little ladies!

 

[kazoo1111]

Were having the pecking problem too.