Fighting chics

[TwistedRee]

It's been a while since I've been here, but hopefully that will change! I need some help please! Crabby hatched 13 eggs on the 24th of July. All chichs are a mixed breed, which will be a question for later on! LOL .. One chic died and the others are growing FAST! I think I have 3 roos in the bunch and have decided what to do about that yet, but I think there's still time. Of the 12 chics remaining, I have named 2 who I am sure are female. Fancy and Rocky. The chics beat up and bullied Fancy and Rocky so bad I had to pull them from the coop. Because I didn't see anything take place, I put Rocky and Fancy together, which was a mistake and one that was corrected right away! (Which is how Rocky got his name!) I wasn't sure Fancy was going to make it and thought she would lose her eye, but she survived and is happy and healthy as long as she isn't with Rocky. I haven't tried to put Fancy back in with the others because she's become my sweet girl! LOL ... As for Rocky, I put him in with the others yesterday and it was a mad house! So once again I had to pull him. So I guess here is my question: Is there any hope of getting Rocky back with the flock? Is there a time limit to leave her in there and let them sort it out? I realize there is a pecking order to establish, but Rocky screams the whole time. My husband says Rocky has to go if I can't make this work. But I don't know what's best for Rocky and the others! Any ideas? Suggestions?? ... I've convinced my husband to build me a seperate little coop for my Fancy girl .. and he says if Rocky and Fancy can get along, Rocky can stay. HELP!

 

[faykokoWV]

do you have any older chickens? maybe put Rocky in with an older one and let her get taught some manners by one of the matrons of the flock?

 

[TwistedRee]

I tried that .. And Rocky was beaten pretty bad .. I had to pull her again .. I'm thinking maybe I should just give in to the idea of building a seperate coop for Rocky and one for Fancy! LOL

 

[faykokoWV]

sorry I don't have any answers.

My husband suggested putting them in a big bowl of jello and letting them duke it out. You can sell tickets to the show... naked chicks fighting in jello.... lol

the only other thing I could suggest is time consuming, but spend a couple of hours each day with both of them together and every time they start to fight, break it up. I would think that if you do it enough they might get the message just like dogs.