Bully chick

[Hope hen]

Ok. I have tried everything I can think of to break this bully baby. Read so many threads and posts. It’s been separated for about a week now. I’ve put it back a few time and don’t take long for it to go right back at pecking the others eyes. I’ve put it in a separate bin within the brooder. I’ve tried a blue light. Different foods. I’m lost. I only have 3. So I don’t think it’s over crowding. Heat lamp is directed to one side of the bin. So.. I don’t think it the temp. Any other suggestions before I.. decide to call it.. I really don’t wanna do that. But I don’t know what else to do. It seems perfectly fine to be alone to. :/

 

[Chickinie]

Stick a piece of blue tac to its beak so it's distracted by it. Haha.

Just came to mind... it was actually a colourful bead at first... With some glue. But then the other 2 will probably peck IT in the face all day...


I was thinking maybe your brood area is too big?

 

[NewChkinTown]

Stick a piece of blue tac to its beak so it's distracted by it. Haha.

Just came to mind... it was actually a colourful bead at first... With some glue. But then the other 2 will probably peck IT in the face all day...


I was thinking maybe your brood area is too big?

Is that a thing? Having too large a brooder for the number of chicks? Can that cause chicks to act out?

 

[Bean15]

Is that a thing? Having too large a brooder for the number of chicks? Can that cause chicks to act out?

I always found that having a SMALL brooder caused chicks to act up, I'm not sure about how a big one could cause any issues. Wouldn't they have more space to get away from each other?

 

[NewChkinTown]

I always found that having a SMALL brooder caused chicks to act up, I'm not sure about how a big one could cause any issues. Wouldn't they have more space to get away from each other?

I would think larger would be better too but the first reply the poster said maybe the brooder was too large

 

[Rooster G]

Let her establish dominance and things will smooth after a while. It is what they do.

 

[Bean15]

I would think larger would be better too but the first reply the poster said maybe the brooder was too large

Yeah, I've never had issues with big brooders.

 

[Chickinie]

Well I've had one chick start a fight with another (they were literally 4 days old) and I kept them close to each other (mum held them) for a while because they were stressed from going all day. Then I let them sleep it off together with all of the rest and they never fought again.

I was just thinking, if they have too much space to roam they might get frisky. Whereas, when they are together they feel more as nestmates. Because you said you only have three...

Did you let them sleep it off together when they fought?

Maybe you can take them for a frolic outside and sit with them so they can peck around together for a while, to get to know each other again?

What breed are they?

 

[rosemarythyme]

How old are the chicks? Is you coop ready? Do you have other chickens?

A big brooder space would not cause issues like this, small space on the other hand...

Depending on how old they are, and your weather and temps, have you tried giving all 3 some outside time? Maybe some break in their routine and some new space to explore would help break this habit.

 

[Hope hen]

Stick a piece of blue tac to its beak so it's distracted by it. Haha.

Just came to mind... it was actually a colourful bead at first... With some glue. But then the other 2 will probably peck IT in the face all day...


I was thinking maybe your brood area is too big?

I didn’t think of that.. didn’t realize that might be the issue. This did start happening when I moved them to a bigger bin. They are almost 2 weeks old now tho.