Chick attacking new addition-what to do?

[teeville5]

I got 6 new chicks today. 2 BO, 2 SLW, and 2 araucana. The BOs & SLWs are @ 2 weeks old and the araucanas are a few days old. I got them home and put them in with my new chicks from last week that are 1-2 weeks old and everything was fine. However, a few hours later, I noticed one of my OEGB pecking one of the araucanas viciously. I tapped her head, but she kept doing it. No other chick was getting pecked nor was any other chick pecking the araucana. So I put the OEGB in isolation with one of her other mates for a few hours. I tried to put her back in to see if she had settled down and she seemed ok at first, but then spotted the same araucana and started pecking again. I tried holding her down and tapping again. I noticed that everytime I reprimanded her, she would run away, but as soon as she could she started looking around and would spot the araucana and go after her again. The araucana in turn was running and hiding under any bird she could so the OEGB wouldn't find her. I thought the OEGB got the hint after a few good taps because she started to avoid the chick, but while I was checking on my big girls brooder, I started to hear what was like screaming coming from the baby brooder. I ran over and saw the OEGB purposefully going after that araucana. She was biting her and pulling her across the brooder. Just all out attacking. I don't understand what is going on. I have never encountered this before. The OEGB is not attacking anyone else, just this araucana in particular and no one else is attacking the araucana either. Does anyone know what could possibly be the problem?
I currently have the OEGB and her mate seperated again and DH says I should keep it that way for at least 3 days and try again. Is this how I should do it? Also, when I try to put her back with the others, what should I do if the problem isn't corrected? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Put some sort of screen or plexiglass between them so they can see each other but not get to each other. Leave it like that for a week or two and then try again. It has always worked for me when I did that

Good luck!

 

[Katydid2011]

In my experience, what you're describing is very common behavior. Chickens have established pecking orders and usually the older, bigger birds will dominate the younger, smaller birds. That's why it's risky to introduce birds of different ages. Two days might not seem that different from two weeks but it's a huge difference to the chicks.

I would separate the groups immediately and keep them separate. If you try to integrate them again, it would be a good idea to put a barrier between the groups so they can see each other and interact without doing any harm. Keep them separate for a few weeks, not just a few days, if possible.

Interfering won't help at all. As you've discovered, the attacks will resume the moment you turn your back.

I'm not an expert, just sharing my personal experience. I hope everything works out!

 

[Nicole01]

I had to separate mine too. My little one(d'uccle) would of gotten killed. After I separated them I went out and bought two more.

I wanted to introduce a bigger group to the older ones, so the little one has a better chance not being picked on, especially my brahma who does not like the D'Uccle. It is best if you can separate in the same brooder. I don't have that option. My older ones are ready for the coop and have been fully feathered for a while now.