I just brought my chickies home, and a lot of them are pecking each other and most have a bit of blood of their beaks. What's the deal? Should I be worried?
Chicks pecking each other a lot
- Thread starter ehunter
- Start date
MaLoTu
Chirping
- Mar 28, 2015
- 294
- 12
- 88
The main suggestion I see is do you have a red heat lamp?
If they are drawing blood then it may escalate rather than settle down. Is there one particular perp or victim that can be isolated?
- Thread starter
- #3
I'm using the Eco glow brooder, so no lamp. I just covered most of their brooder lid with a towel to make it darker hoping that might help...?
- Thread starter
- #4
How would I isolate?
MaLoTu
Chirping
- Mar 28, 2015
- 294
- 12
- 88
Maybe by putting a box in the brooder that has the aggressor or the victim. Especially if one is bleeding because they will not stop pecking it and it needs to be separated to rest.
- Thread starter
- #6
Maybe by putting a box in the brooder that has the aggressor or the victim. Especially if one is bleeding because they will not stop pecking it and it needs to be separated to rest.
[/quote]
Thanks for the advice! I'm going to keep an eye on them. I've had them covered for awhile and just peeked in - they're all eating and didn't see pecking. Hopefully the darkness is helping and the fact it's quiet for them. I'll keep posted.
[/quote]
Thanks for the advice! I'm going to keep an eye on them. I've had them covered for awhile and just peeked in - they're all eating and didn't see pecking. Hopefully the darkness is helping and the fact it's quiet for them. I'll keep posted.
BroodyMama2
Chirping
- Mar 19, 2015
- 37
- 13
- 59
A certain amount of pecking is normal. They often think an eye, speck on a sister's feather, etc might be food and they give it a go. Also, they don't call it "the pecking order" for nothing. === Drawing blood, as MaLoTu said, is not good, and requires isolating that chick until she heals. Chickens are attracted to blood, and will keep going after a bleeding animal.
If they continue picking on each other. make sure they have enough room. If they are overcrowded they get grumpy and pick on each other more. This is a particular problem as they grow. Not only are they bigger, but they're more curious and restless.
If they continue picking on each other. make sure they have enough room. If they are overcrowded they get grumpy and pick on each other more. This is a particular problem as they grow. Not only are they bigger, but they're more curious and restless.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #8
A quick update... Looks like they're getting along better for the time being. Will continue to keep an eye on them. No blood anywhere, and they seem much less stressed, so I think that was a big part of it. I'm hoping it doesn't start up again. Thanks for the info!
BroodyMama2
Chirping
- Mar 19, 2015
- 37
- 13
- 59
Yaayyyy! Awesome to hear.
Similar threads
New posts New threads Active threads
-
Threads with more replies in the last 15 days
-
