ATTACKER ON THE LOOSE!

[CollegeChicken]

My little White Crested Black Polish (part of mixed group of 7 chicks two and a half weeks old) is being bullied and despite my best efforts to catch the bully in action I cant do it! I have spent several different occasions just sitting and watching them, sometimes for 45 minutes at a time but I have NEVER seen any of the chicks pecking him..the affected area is the emerging crest feathers ..you can tell he is obviously being pecked at there but theres no sign as to who the bully is..I know its ideal to remove the bully not the 'victim' chick but what do you do when you cant figure out who is the offender?!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Can you divide the chicks into two groups and figure out who the problem one(s) are by elimination? You might also try spraying the crest feathers with Blu-Kote etc, that sometimes helps. Unfortunately it is a common problem with polish in mixed flocks and it may be an ongoing problem.

 

[CollegeChicken]

the most frustrating part is that two of the other chicks are polish as well. One is a Buff Laced polish and the other is a Silver Spangled polish...NO ONE BOTHERS THEIR CREST FEATHERS!!!! Maybe bc the White CrestedBlack is a bantam she is an easier target...I dont think separating the chicks will help me unless I luck out and group the offending chick in the opposite group as the WC Black......definitely not a bad idea though.... I am just worried that this chronic mutilation will cause permanent damage to the feathers and affect how the bird looks as an adult.... for the last two years I have been trying to get a WC Black polish bantam. Last two years in a row got straight run and ended up with Roos so this year I ordered from MPC and Im hoping they got the gender right ( they attempt to sex bantams and they will refund you if they turn out to be wrong ) so I waited a long time for this little breed of chick and I dont know how to help her!! I am expecting a group of 3 more chicks to arrive on July 28th. I thought about housing her with them but by that time she will be 4 weeks old and they will be two days old....the WC Black is definitely lowest on the pecking order,,even below the tiny little silky who is like two cotton balls stuck together lol......but still I dont know how gentle shed be with such small chicks...I guess also no guarantee those chicks wouldnt peck her either...ideas anyone!?