9 week old pecking/pulling feathers from other chicks. Help?

[superdeluxe]

Hello there,

I have 8 chicks around 9 weeks old outside in their coop and run. We have one barnevelder who is pecking feathers off the other chicks. How do we know if it’s just pecking order issues or if that chick is being a bully?

I’m worried the flock might be getting stressed out and that the bully might need to be separated. But I don’t want to overreact if it’s chickens just being chickens

 

[M Brennen]

My teenager chickens seem to pick on each other. I am careful to watch to make sure no one chick is being picked on more than any other. I also look to see if the pickers seem to be roosters or just bossy hens. I do think they are establishing their places in the flock. If there isn’t any visible signs of injury, I wouldn’t worry, but I would keep an eye on it.