4 1/2 week old Crested showing aggression towards 4 1/2 week frizzle. Both adore me!!!

[Walkbarefoot]

Hello,

I am in hopes that someone can give me some advice on how to deal with my situation... I am a first time chicken owner, I have (8) 4 1/2 week chicks (crested, silkies and frizzles) and (2) 3 1/2 week chicks (Ameraucana and Easter Egger). These chicks are still in my basement, I am planning on moving them to my garage this weekend (into a roughly 10 x 10 enclosure. They will stay there until we move them to the coop. We are just finishing up their run now. They are currently living in a container that is 2 1/2 feet x almost 5 feet.

I have 3 chicks that meet me at the entrance to their enclosure every time I go to see them (2 frizzles and 1 crested). The crested is a much larger bird than the frizzles at this stage in life, though they were all born on the same day... The crested seems to be fine with all the other chicks, none of them seem scared of it at all. But the one little frizzle that loves me, that is another story. The crested keeps its eye out for the little frizzle when I am down there. If it comes close, the crested chases it and pecks at it. The frizzle screams. There have not been any injuries, but I am just wondering if I should do something before there are?

To me this seems like it is an issue between the 2 birds, maybe not a pecking order issue? But I am new to this... As I said before, none of the other chicks are bothered by the Crested, not even the other frizzle that likes to cuddle with me....

I have uploaded a picture of the two chicks...

Does anyone have any advice as to how I should deal with this situation? Thanks!

 

[azygous]

What's taking place is normal. You do have a legitimate concern the larger crested will hurt the smaller frizzle. This is probably a temporary condition, but there is something you can try to stop the behavior.

Spend about five minutes today, at intervals, and poke the crested on the back with your finger each time it starts to go after the little frizzle. Try to anticipate its intentions to target the chick. This is how a mother hen disciplines her chicks when they misbehave.

After two days of discipline, the problem usually goes away.

 

[Walkbarefoot]

What's taking place is normal. You do have a legitimate concern the larger crested will hurt the smaller frizzle. This is probably a temporary condition, but there is something you can try to stop the behavior.

Spend about five minutes today, at intervals, and poke the crested on the back with your finger each time it starts to go after the little frizzle. Try to anticipate its intentions to target the chick. This is how a mother hen disciplines her chicks when they misbehave.

After two days of discipline, the problem usually goes away.

Thank you so much!!! I really appreciate your help. I DO NOT want this situation to escalate! Thank you!

 

[Walkbarefoot]

I have been taking your advice and pecking back at the bully today. I went down this afternoon to check on them and I found this feather.... It is from the bully crested... It has a PERFECT HEART on the tip... I think it is her way of saying "I'm sorry... Please don't be mad at me. "

 

[azygous]

That's sweet..I'd save that.

 

[Walkbarefoot]

I think the bully might actually be a rooster... it’s tail feathers are pointed... not round. I believe this is one way of telling a room from a hen when it comes to Crested chicks. Not sure if 4 1/2 weeks is too soon to tell?