Chicks bleeding from pecking

[feather13]

Someone who raises Silkies and Polish came to pick up our four picked upon chicks. I'm crossing my fingers that they have a better life, but it was really hard saying good bye to them And now only have 12 chicks. Hoping these tiny velociraptors don't start pecking someone else.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

Oh, that's so sad! Do you know who pecked? I would separate the bully for a bit if possible. I also recommend Blu Kote on injuries to mask the red color so they don't continue to peck.

 

[feather13]

Oh, that's so sad! Do you know who pecked? I would separate the bully for a bit if possible. I also recommend Blu Kote on injuries to mask the red color so they don't continue to peck.

We have a flock of many different breeds and colors, but weirdly enough it was the light colored chicks that were doing most of the pecking of the light colored Polish. I've used Blu Kote before for wounds, but it actually made the chick I put it on get pecked even more. TMI, but those cannibal velociraptors were taking chunks out of the chicks' flesh . Even though it was sad, it seemed to make the most sense to remove the four pecked chicks then try to isolate the bullies since they were all joining in on the pecking.

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

We have a flock of many different breeds and colors, but weirdly enough it was the light colored chicks that were doing most of the pecking of the light colored Polish. I've used Blu Kote before for wounds, but it actually made the chick I put it on get pecked even more. TMI, but those cannibal velociraptors were taking chunks out of the chicks' flesh . Even though it was sad, it seemed to make the most sense to remove the four pecked chicks then try to isolate the bullies since they were all joining in on the pecking.

Ugh, I'm sorry that happened! Do you know if they started the wounds or if they were existing already for another reason?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Sorry you had to rehome them but it's for the best. You could have built another coop/run for Polish only Chicken Math

 

[feather13]

Ugh, I'm sorry that happened! Do you know if they started the wounds or if they were existing already for another reason?

The pecking seems to have started overnight and only two of the three buff Polish and the one brown Polish were pecked. The others seem fine and there's nothing in the coop that could injure them. I don't know why the Polish were singled out

 

[rosemarythyme]

The pecking seems to have started overnight and only two of the three buff Polish and the one brown Polish were pecked. The others seem fine and there's nothing in the coop that could injure them. I don't know why the Polish were singled out

It's because they look different, with the poofs on their heads. Their head feathers can also block some of their sight so they're less able to defend themselves. Plus they're generally docile birds. So yes they tend to get picked on or bullied in mixed flocks, which is why some folks keep them separately from other breeds.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

Thank you! I've got them separated and at least the two Polish are together so they aren't lonely and they're still in the coop, although can't be pecked by the others. I might get Blu Kote, as well, but that stuff is so messy. I really appreciate your responses since this hasn't happened to me before.

Hi. I am sorry you have had such trouble with your chicks. I was going to suggest the blu kote also. They make an aerosol blu kote now which is much less mess. I found it at a feed store. You won’t have to use but one poof to get the job done most likely. You might get by with some styptic powder if you can find some that is not red. Most of the time it will be red and they love to peck at anything red or shiny like rings and the chain on their watering containers - mine tried to eat part of a hook today and give me a heart attack! Lol!