Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'm with all of you about this new mommy stuff being stressful! Even more so since I'm watching my friends babies too! I would feel awful if something happened to them while she's gone.
As for Mr. Meanie (I'm calling him Mister, even tho they're all supposed to be hens - because he/she acts like a big, mean boy!) I took him out and held him for a long time thinking it might calm him down. No such luck. As soon as I put him back in he starting pecking at the other's eyes again. So, I tried putting him in with the ducks. They pecked him back a little, but then he started pecking their feet and I was worried he might hurt their feet. He also tried to peck their eyes, which was a little tougher, since they are bigger.
I wasn't sure what to do but my DH took a small section of wire and made him an "isolation booth" that's still in the same brooder but he can't get to the others. He's ticked, but doing okay. I just can't keep him from spilling the little thing of water I have in there for him.
The biggest problem though, is that he pecked at one of the littlest buff O's so much that she's got blood spots under each eye. I don't think she's openly bleeding, but she won't open her eyes. It looks like she's got two major bruised eyes. I haven't noticed the other others picking on her, but I'm very worried. Right now she's wrapped in a little towel, sitting on my chest. I figured she needed to get out of the chaos of 14 chicks and rest a little.
Any ideas? I can just see myself now with 4 or 5 different brooders. One for ducks, one for good chicks, one for bad chicks and one for injured chicks. Aaaarrrrrggghhh!
I am so mad at Mr. Meanie right now I understand how people can cull mean chickens and roos. un I want to give them all the best chance though.
HELP!!!!
As for Mr. Meanie (I'm calling him Mister, even tho they're all supposed to be hens - because he/she acts like a big, mean boy!) I took him out and held him for a long time thinking it might calm him down. No such luck. As soon as I put him back in he starting pecking at the other's eyes again. So, I tried putting him in with the ducks. They pecked him back a little, but then he started pecking their feet and I was worried he might hurt their feet. He also tried to peck their eyes, which was a little tougher, since they are bigger.
I wasn't sure what to do but my DH took a small section of wire and made him an "isolation booth" that's still in the same brooder but he can't get to the others. He's ticked, but doing okay. I just can't keep him from spilling the little thing of water I have in there for him.
The biggest problem though, is that he pecked at one of the littlest buff O's so much that she's got blood spots under each eye. I don't think she's openly bleeding, but she won't open her eyes. It looks like she's got two major bruised eyes. I haven't noticed the other others picking on her, but I'm very worried. Right now she's wrapped in a little towel, sitting on my chest. I figured she needed to get out of the chaos of 14 chicks and rest a little.
Any ideas? I can just see myself now with 4 or 5 different brooders. One for ducks, one for good chicks, one for bad chicks and one for injured chicks. Aaaarrrrrggghhh!
I am so mad at Mr. Meanie right now I understand how people can cull mean chickens and roos. un I want to give them all the best chance though.
HELP!!!!
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