Sherryspat8
In the Brooder
Hello! I am a new chicken mom 
! I brought home six (2 day old) chicks on Feb 27th from the local feed store, where they stated 90% of the chicks are females. I got 2 buffs, 2 EE's, 1 BR, and 1 RIR.
From the get go, I knew one of the buffs was a male (Lemon) - and he happens to be the most friendliest and my favorite.
Fast forward 4 weeks, I noticed one of the EE's (Number 2) had a blood mark on her back, and it was most likely from the RIR. I noticed the RIR (Red) - going to every chick & pecking. I isolated the injured EE in a clear container and placed it inside the brooder. (Brooder is about a 15 sq feet cardboard refrigerator box). After a day of cleaning and healing, I returned Number 2 back into the brooder. No one was pecking her except Red. I then noticed the other EE (Number 1) had her feathers on her shoulders pecked down to the skin by Red. So I had to isolate the RIR!
I added a 3x2 cardboard box onto the brooder, separated by chicken wire so that the group can still see each other. The first day (yesterday) all Red did was pace back and forth, chirping and not eating. However, the rest of the chickens all seemed calm and content. Finally today, Red calmed down a bit and started eating a little. I placed her back in the morning to see if she was still bullying - low and behold - she's still pecking every single chick, even when a chick is resting! So I think another 2 or 3 days of isolation at least? Red is the smallest, and I am starting to believe that she is a HE. In fact, I think 3 or 4 of the six might be males! If so, can it explain the odd behavior of my RIR?? I am concerned s/he will continue bullying. S/he seems like high energy and high anxiety, where the rest of the group is chill. Any recommendations/suggestions? Can you help sex my 4 week old chicks? Please see pics attached.
Red - RIR - bully & in isolation. Could be a he?
Lemon - Male Buff. Definitely the leader. He is sweet & friendly
Number 1 - EE - must be lower in the pecking order. (Darker EE with black & brown) Has started growing a red 3 nodule comb, Male?
Number 2 - EE - Lighter EE with white & gray. I think female?
Butter - Buff. Very soft feathers, crouches when i hold her. I think female?
Eight Ball - BR - 50/50 chance male/female?
Thanks in advance. Pics are from 2 day old - 4 weeks.
! I brought home six (2 day old) chicks on Feb 27th from the local feed store, where they stated 90% of the chicks are females. I got 2 buffs, 2 EE's, 1 BR, and 1 RIR.From the get go, I knew one of the buffs was a male (Lemon) - and he happens to be the most friendliest and my favorite.
Fast forward 4 weeks, I noticed one of the EE's (Number 2) had a blood mark on her back, and it was most likely from the RIR. I noticed the RIR (Red) - going to every chick & pecking. I isolated the injured EE in a clear container and placed it inside the brooder. (Brooder is about a 15 sq feet cardboard refrigerator box). After a day of cleaning and healing, I returned Number 2 back into the brooder. No one was pecking her except Red. I then noticed the other EE (Number 1) had her feathers on her shoulders pecked down to the skin by Red. So I had to isolate the RIR!
I added a 3x2 cardboard box onto the brooder, separated by chicken wire so that the group can still see each other. The first day (yesterday) all Red did was pace back and forth, chirping and not eating. However, the rest of the chickens all seemed calm and content. Finally today, Red calmed down a bit and started eating a little. I placed her back in the morning to see if she was still bullying - low and behold - she's still pecking every single chick, even when a chick is resting! So I think another 2 or 3 days of isolation at least? Red is the smallest, and I am starting to believe that she is a HE. In fact, I think 3 or 4 of the six might be males! If so, can it explain the odd behavior of my RIR?? I am concerned s/he will continue bullying. S/he seems like high energy and high anxiety, where the rest of the group is chill. Any recommendations/suggestions? Can you help sex my 4 week old chicks? Please see pics attached.
Red - RIR - bully & in isolation. Could be a he?
Lemon - Male Buff. Definitely the leader. He is sweet & friendly
Number 1 - EE - must be lower in the pecking order. (Darker EE with black & brown) Has started growing a red 3 nodule comb, Male?
Number 2 - EE - Lighter EE with white & gray. I think female?
Butter - Buff. Very soft feathers, crouches when i hold her. I think female?
Eight Ball - BR - 50/50 chance male/female?
Thanks in advance. Pics are from 2 day old - 4 weeks.
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Pictures are not showing. Generally feather picking (which in extreme cases can escalate to cannibalism) is caused by overcrowding or protein deficient feed. If it were me I would keep the RIR isolated from the rest of the chicks until they were fully feathered.
She’s smaller than most in my flock, but she holds her own. I ❤ RIRs, they are like little velociraptors. Super clever and not afraid to throw weight around except when T-Rex shows up!
)
