Chicks pecking feathers off one chick

[jgessentials]

Hello all,

We have four bantam chicks - 1 silkie, 1 easter egger, 1 mottled cochin and 1 buff brahma. They are nearly 5 weeks old an have been happy and healthy until the last couple days.

Yesterday we noticed two long feathers in the brooder box, but thought they just naturally fell out. Today however, we saw all the chicks are pecking at the easter egger, taking turns and keeping at it even when we try to stop them. The pecking is pulling her feathers out. Around her neck is the worst area, there is a section that is now just red skin.

We didn't know what to do, and didn't want to wait until blood was drawn, so we set up a separate box to isolate her. We moved the heat plate to her box to help her settle. Also placed a pouch of lavender. She is so miserable, keeps crying and is understandably stressed.

Wondering if anyone offer some advice?

Here's what we've been doing:
The brooder we had all the chicks in is 33"x31"x30" high.
We have a Comfort heat plate, set to nearly the highest setting.
They are now eating Modesto Milling organic chick starter crumbles: 22%protein.
They water always has Chick Boost probiotics/electrolytes in it.
We've been giving fresh wheat grass cut up in small pieces every day as treats.
They have daylight, as they are set up right in front of a double glass slider. It is not direct sunlight, however.
They have one perch the length of the brooder and a mirror.

We added a dirt bath box with soil from the backyard and ash about a week ago. But removed it two days ago bc we noticed some runny stools and thought we'd see if removing the dirt helped temporarily. Could they be bored since we removed it? And causing them to fixate on pecking her?

Thanks so much for any help you can share.

 

[Kiki]

The brooder is just too small.

Get them more space and the pecking will stop.
If they draw blood it will get worse.
Blue Kote the pecked one.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Definitely need to get them more room. They need to burn off excess energy or else they start pecking. They are ready for bigger things.

 

[azygous]

You've given your chicks everything except what they need most - the outdoors to run around, fly, and scratch up bugs the way real chickens do.

By five weeks of age, unless it's below freezing, chicks do not need heat. They are feathered well enough to thrive at day time temps down to the high 40s. At night, they won't need heat unless it's that cold at night. I doubt it's that cold where you live.

If you move your chicks to a coop and let them have an outdoor run, you will see they will find other things to do besides pluck each other bald.

 

[jgessentials]

Thanks so much for the help.

We did a test run during the day last week, putting them out in their run, and they seemed to really love it. We wanted to transition them to the coop at that point already but were unsure if they had feathered enough. Some advised us it was far too soon and to wait until minimum 6-8 weeks old, so that is what we were doing

We've set up a really nice and secure coop and run in the backyard. The temps will be in the 50's at night time, so it sounds like they should be fine.

We will cover the plucked areas with blu-kote, and then bring them out to the coop/run.

Question about the transition to outdoors, we were told to only allow them in the coop (with their food and water) for 2-3 days - so that they learn that this is their house before letting them out in the run. Can we skip this part, being that it is also a smaller space? Was thinking to bring them out to the run first thing in the morning, allowing them free access to both coop and run. And then luring them into the coop with treats at night time.

Thanks very much.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

As long as you are around to keep an eye on them they can go in and out. I generally start them out inside and they find their way out. They don't often recognize how to go back in so you will have to help until they understand it.

I often will put them outside during the day and than back to the brooder at night for a week or two before leaving them out there. That way they aren't as frightened and are used to being in the coop.

 

[azygous]

Excellent plan! The Blu-kote will definitely help. I'm glad you're willing to get your chicks outside right away. They will be glad, too.

The only thing you need to be aware of is that it's best to give your chicks a few hours at least before dark arrives to become familiar with their coop. If you wait until dark to stick them in the coop to sleep, they will be not only fearful of the strange new place, but the dark as well. It helps to have a very dim night light for the first few nights until the chicks adjust to the coop. It will also assist in getting them inside when night comes.

My chicks are brooded outside in the run from day one. When the time comes to move them into the coop to sleep, around age five weeks, I let them play in the coop for a few hours before night comes. It really helps.

Most all chicks need help learning to go inside at night. You have the right idea using treats to lure them in. If you wait until you see them piling together and trilling their night song, it is much easier to get them in.

 

[chickens really]

You have gotten excellent advise....Yes, put them out...They are in need of becoming Chickens....What I do is put them inside the coop with the pop door open to the run...They always stay close around the pop door at first and then run back inside if they get scared...They huddle together on the floor in deep shavings and keep warm...Put lots of fun stumps and roosts in the run...
Best of luck ....

 

[jgessentials]

Thank you everyone. Unfortunately, the blu-kote as well as two rounds of no-peck has so far not helped the problem. We keep the 3 chicks in the run during the day and the pecked one in the coop. They can see each other and spend time close by but can't be with each other. We have tried putting them together and within a few minutes the curious pecking resumes.
Any herbs or natural remedies that can help with feather growth or pecking prevention?
Thank you

 

[chickens really]

All I can suggest is keep the pecked one separate till their interest in pecking her stops...Might need to get rid of her..?