Hate This Part!

[macadam8157]

Put the 4 wk olds with the 6 wk olds today. Now all the little girls are huddled in one corner and every time they come out or near certain birds they get pecked HARD. Is there anything I should watch for, I know this is normal to establish new rank structure amongst them. Its just making me angry with the big ones I guess feel like there being bullies!!!

 

[Karen09]

That is part of the pecking order but is there a way to separate them with like a cage so they get used to each other before they hang out in the same area? Sometimes this helps them adjust to each other.

 

[macadam8157]

Quote:
They've been in the same brooder (3x7) separated down the middle for 3 weeks now!

 

[macadam8157]

OK this is ridiculous, it looks like that part from the Blair Witch Project except its 8 little Production Reds in the corner. Is this gonna get better or what??? Someone to close PECK laying down and they need to walk by...PECK come out of the corner PECK!!!!

This is gonna drive me crazy. I just don't want my little birds to lose health from not being able to get to food or water, or for that matter being pecked to much.

 

[Allsardane]

Wish I knew.

I had to separate my chicks at 3 weeks old due to them smelling too badly in the house. 13 LF went into a shed outside and 7 were left inside for another week on account of them being bantams (one was a LF and the largest but refuses to grow feathers). One week later, I figured the weather had gotten warm enough for the bantams to survive so I put them into the pen after dark, closed the door, and didn't think a bit of it.

Seems the big one who was stuck with the little ones an extra week put a little effort into reprimanding any of the big birds who gave his flock any trouble. When I opened the door in the morning, the big naked guy was bossing the others around and chasing anyone that caused trouble. I guess my little ones benefited from having a champion.

If you are concerned, I would suggest putting two food and water troughs in there on opposite sides. That or give them a larger space to play in?

 

[N&MSchroeder]

Quote:
Okay, I don't want to encourage you to do this, but I bailed after 5 days when I tried this. I couldn't take it any more. There was no blood shed, but NOBODY was happy, even the older chicks!

It was pretty much as you are describing. It wasn't getting better and I read somewhere to bring them together when they were all the same size and had an opportunity to acclimate to each other while being separated. I had kept them in separate areas separated by a screen door and I hoped they would recognize each others peeps and sqwaks, but hadn't given them a clear visual of each other. Soooo, I am waiting to combine when they are older. I just wanted you to know that I understand what you are going through. Good Luck!

 

[no1hilbily]

when i put my 4 weeks in with my six weeks they only picked on the young roo he came to me for security when they came over to peck at him i tapedthem on the head (lightly) after a few times they figured out not to do it them all was well

 

[Judy]

I've had some luck "pecking" my bully, too -- doesn't have to be hard at all, it's just a message -- worth a try -- I usually use a long "stick;" it's from an annual, not stiff at all, I couldn't hurt her with it if I tried.

 

[cbrown86]

When I put all of my older ones with my 1 wker, they did the same thing. So, I tried breaking them into groups for a little while at a time, then putting them all together. They didn't peck her at all. Try that.

 

[Sorin]

Quote:
I second that! I have had to do the same thing before. I didn't like it and they didn't like it, but I believe it helped the situation move along faster. The bullies realized I wouldn't let them do anything to the new ones, this isn't really ideal because I had to spend a lot of time the first day doing this, but I do think that it helped.