constant pecking?

[northerncaliforniachick]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to all this chick raising- my babies came home on Wednesday (and were 1 day old when I got them). I have 1 (Ameraucana) who is bigger than the others and showing some early 'maleness'. What really worries me is "his" constant pecking. This chick will not let the others (1 black Australorp and 1 Rhode Island Red) rest for a minute! "He" doesnt seem to be hurting them- they don't fight back or try to get away from "him"- but they can't eat or even sleep in peace. As soon as they fall asleep, they are woken up by the pecking.
Is this normal 'pecking order' behavior or should I stop it (by getting rid of the pecker- I can't have a rooster so it's either get rid of it now or wait and see if it really is a rooster and get rid of it later). If it is a female who is just more aggressive, do I want to get rid of her anyway to have a more peaceful flock, or is this bothering me more than it is bothering them?
Thanks for any feedback- like I say, I am very new at this!

 

[gritsar]

Hi and welcome to BYC!
Two things I can suggest for constant pecking. First, if you are using a white heat lamp bulb, switch to a red one. This often cures the over pecking.
Two, you can try putting the offender in chickie jail. Remove them for awhile, a day or two, and then put them back. This seems to work with some chicks.
Good luck to you.

 

[northerncaliforniachick]

thank you so much for the reply. I do use a red bulb and I am trying 'chickie jail', or as my son said "time out" for the offender. I hope it works- this one has been so different from the other chicks- I hate that she/he is disturbing their peace!

 

[cmom]

I agree with gritsar. Try a red light and if that doesn't work separate the little bugger for awhile.

 

[northerncaliforniachick]

thanks- I'm doing both right now and have a potential foster parent lined up

I just dont want to traumatize my other 2 sweet chickies

Plus I end up holding the troublesome chick the most because if its 'high needs'- so that the others are not getting as much attention even though I like them most!
thanks for the advice- I hope something works!
Right now they all seem a bit sad about the time out corner- even the 2 who have been getting picked on!