8 week old chick pecking me

[sophiaw00]

Pictured is Tot. Tot is the smallest of all my chicks. She's also the most feisty and protective of the rest. She's definatley the most dominant. She's been pecking me since the day I got her (I got them at 4 weeks old, they are now almost 6 weeks). She's gotten a lot better since I started letting them go into the coop and run during the day. I think she enjoys the space.

 

[diana507]

Ya I am thinking maybe they are a little to cramped and being protective cause I'm not the only one she does it too. We've been tearing down my horse barn to use the wood for my coop. Finally at the point where we can start the coop. They will be happier out there. And I will be happier to get them out of the house and get rid of the dust. Haha

 

[sophiaw00]

Do you have a space that they can run around outside in an enclosed area with your supervision during the day? That might help.

 

[diana507]

I can try and figure something out tomorrow.

 

[sophiaw00]

Okay, just having the extra space will probably calm your trouble maker down. Plus she'll probably be more interested in finding little bugs and eating grass than "bothering" with the silly humans.

 

[diana507]

I am new to chickens this year. And have heard mixed things. When do I have to start giving them oyster shells or grit? They are on starter/grower for a couple more weeks then going on grower/finisher. Thought maybe you would know. Haha I'm such a newbie

 

[sophiaw00]

I'm a newbie too! This is my first flock. My girls are given starter/grower mixed with chick grit. My ratio is one regular sized cereal bowl full of chick grit to 1/2 cup grit, mixed together. I just put it all in the feeder together. Make sure you buy chick grit though because regular poultry grit is too big for them. They will eat this mix until they begin laying, then I'll switch them to layer feed. Crushed oyster shell shouldn't be fed until they begin laying too. It should be put in a seperate container, NOT mixed with the feed, because too much calcium can cause health issues. They will eat as much oyster shells as they need.

Oh yeah...grit isn't needed unless you're giving them treats (grass, meal worms, bugs, oats...anything that isn't their normal feed).

 

[diana507]

I will have to look for chick grit when I go to TSC tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[diana507]

That is before they go outside and find themselves some bugs