Being attacked by a chick?

[Bessie1994Snider]

We have 10 4 week old chicks. One of the little roosters (not sure of proper term) hates me. Since I feed them treats out of my hand I thought he thought my hand was food then he started chasing me. He pecked me so hard today he broke the skinWe are going to give him away any way but is there anyting I can to make him nice.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

It's a dominance thing. When I get a little cockerel in the brooder that does this I give him a little thump up side his head with my finger (not so hard as to injure) then chase him around the brooder a bit. Just don't do it too vigorously though or you'll cause the other chicks to panic and maybe hurt themselves. All you really want is to just keep him moving out of your way. If he stops get him moving again until he avoids you whenever you stick your hand in.

The chicks are settling their pecking order and he's challenging your place in it. You want to firmly convince him that YOU are the top bird and not him. Much better to do this while he is still small rather than allowing it to go on until he is much larger and could possibly injure you.

.....Alan.

 

[artsyrobin]

exactly- get him to know you are boss, or later it will be a overly aggressive roo.. what breed?

 

[Bessie1994Snider]

Thank you for the tips I will try them in a little bit. I dont what breed he is.

 

[Imp]

The last time I had chicks, I had a pullet act the same way. She mellowed out as a hen.

Imp- I admit it, I was afraid of her.