Are your Marans mean?

[CandylandRanch]

i ordered 18 chickens from my pet chicken. They are mixed flock and they arrived in March. They are now almost 14 weeks old. I have 4 BCMs. (Although two are missing the copper). I found one of the Orpingtons a couple weeks ago ripped to shreds and limping. I observed everyone and saw a BCM plucking feathers from my other babies in the same place my orpington was torn up... I seperated that one. I inspected everyone else and 4 others had bloody bald patches in the same spots! I sprayed them with blue kote. The next day I spent time watching again.. Noticing another maran chasing and plucking too!! Why are they doing this? I know some mild "fighting" is normal to establish pecking order, but not to the point of blood, or limping! Or to where its incessant! I never read that Marans were "bullies".. And they have enough room for 60+ chickens.. It's clean and nice environment..
I would just like any comments to learn more and figure out what I don't know.. Thank you!!

 

[GitaBooks]

Some chickens are just more aggressive than others. My Maran was an aggressive guy who acted like a game bird (in the way he walked and looked) instead of a Maran.
Here are some things that could help:
Make sure they are getting plenty of protien
Make sure that they aren't too hot
Make sure they have perches to play on and treats to pick at

Hope this helps. And I hope your chicks get better soon! Best of luck.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

My cuckoo Marans are pretty easy going, but as stated before, some chickens are just butt heads.

I'd keep separating any pickers and keep them separate for a while. Allow the docile birds to go on and establish their pecking order. Then, once everyone is getting along well, as a nice, cohesive flock, plop those meanies back in with them and let them have a taste of their own medicine.
I haven't had many dealings with feather pickers, but when I've had a bully, that method has worked for me.

Good luck

 

[CandylandRanch]

Thanks everyone! I just have no tolerance for the meanies! It breaks my heart.