Bully Chick

[arouech]

I have 14 ISA Browns, and I've noticed there is one that will go around and peck the other chicks. I haven't seen any blood drawn or any major injuries, but just by the sound alone, I can tell it hurts. Is this something normal, like she is trying to be "head chick" or should I separate her from the others?

 

[gingerchicks]

Don't have an answer per se but my ISAs are the most aggressive of our little flock.... so you aren't alone!

 

[arouech]

From all the research I've done, they're supposed to be very friendly. Most all of the chicks are too except the one pecking. I'm going to try some toys with them tonight.

 

[azygous]

Read my article on disciplining aggressive chicks. The link is below this post in my sig line.

Basically, you can give it a poke with your finger each time you see it go after another chick. It works best when you identify an aggressive chick in the first week and hound it with a disciplining poke as it starts to acquire its target. It takes no more than two days of this and you should see no more aggression.

I have other tips in the article to combat behavior problems in the brooder that might prove useful.

 

[arouech]

Thank you @azygous I will try that when I get home today! Hopefully it works. I'm just thankful that it's only one that I'm having a problem with and not more.

 

[jodyjojo]

I have five baby chicks we just bought this weekend at a local store, one who has mangled feet got bullied and has a sore near her wing from pecking from other Ones. They saw blood and went for it. I separated her and bought the blu Kote. She seems miserable ! I tried to put another chick in with her and it went for her sore even with the blu kote concealing it l. I feel so bad for her! I put a small bear t with her for comfort! I don't know if they are going to accept her Bc she is different or weaker than the others!

 

[3riverschick]

Go to Tractor Supply and get a small bottle of Bovidr Labs Poultry Nutri Drench . put a half a teaspoon in a quart water for this chick . give her one drop by mouth. if she still appears needy ,repeat every 8 to 10 hours until she's perky.
She is weak and needs energy to get well. Nutridrench does not need to be digested. It mainlines directly into the bloodstream. Measureable there in 11 minutes.
HTTP://www.nutridrench.com

Best,
Karen

 

[aart]

I have 14 ISA Browns, and I've noticed there is one that will go around and peck the other chicks. I haven't seen any blood drawn or any major injuries, but just by the sound alone, I can tell it hurts. Is this something normal, like she is trying to be "head chick" or should I separate her from the others?

Probably the sound is more of a exclamation of surprise than of pain.
It's perfectly normal, it how chicken communicate.


The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

 

[wafarm]

Our first group of chicks had two bullies. One turned out to be a rooster and the other one is now the lowest in the pecking order.

Space does have a lot to do with it too, from my experience.

 

[arouech]

Well I tried the poking. Did it for about 2-3 days. One of the days I was right in their Brooder with them because I was cleaning out the bedding. It seemed to work because for all the times I've been out there sitting next to them I haven't seen any pecking. At all. Thanks for all the advice!