aggresive baby??

[FrickinChicken]

Today brought home ten new baby silkies, cute as buttons. Once they got home and nestled into their new brooder box, everyone seemed happy as clams, but one in particular, out of nowhere, began aggressively pecking at all the other's eyes! When I picked him up, he was still clamped on to one's eyelid, even made her bleed a bit! It was awful!! everytime I set it back in the box, it went right for the other eyes, like a tiny little monster. They are three days old...I don't understand. The brat is separated now, obviously, and really crying, unless my hand is over it, but it even pecks and me a little, like it's mad. It's eating and drinking fine. The box is big enough and warm enough. Same set up that has happily and comfortably accommodated ten babies at a time, every spring for years. Has anyone had this experience with such a young thing, and a silkie no less?

 

[faykokoWV]

I've seen them peck each others eyes, but not until they bled like that. I think they think the eye are food. I wish I had advise for you, but i don't know what I would do except keep them apart until they are a little older and see if it calms down some.

 

[pdsavage]

It could be a number of things Need a red light,to crowded,to cold or to hot...stress...

 

[Backyard Hencam]

I'd keep her separate if you can manage it. I had a really aggressive chick that turned out fine so don't give up. Put her back in once a day to see her reaction, and perhaps one day, she'll have grown out of it. This might turn out to be your favorite hen!

 

[Shifty Joe]

I had a little eye plucker myself in my last batch... For me I banished the chick to spend time with the cornish crosses I had ordered. After two days, plucker decided she would play nice if she could go back to her hatch mates. Apparently Cornish X are REALLY boring conversationalist.

Give you little one some time and then slip her in after a few days. She'll calm down.

 

[FrickinChicken]

Thanks Guys, I will keep trying.

 

[chickens_rock]

We had one like that - she was even a big meanie on the ride home. I had to hold her most of the way. We started brooding them in a kiddie swimming pool. Once we got them home and into a bigger space, she seemed to settle down. Then a few days later, out of no where, she started up again - being very mean. Since I only had one light for our brooder, I couldn't separate her totally from the flock, so I put a small laundry basket in the kiddie pool with her in it. Gave her own little habitat for the night. I put her in with the rest the next day, and she's been a sweetie ever since. We call her Gabby, because her voice is so deep compared to the others - I hope that doesn't mean that she's actually a Gabriel.