HELP! 3 week old chick dominating 6 others

[chikenlady]

Hi all!

I have a problem with my three week old chicks. I have 8 barred rock chicks and 6 black austrolorp chicks. They are all three weeks old.

I have recently moved them all together into a larger brooder pen. They started out in one brooder box, then were seperated into two brooder boxes (kept breeds together). They were getting much too big for these boxes, so I moved them into a much bigger arrangement in our garage. They have a run area with an attached barn...a lot of room!

One of the black barred chicks ( I believe is a roo ) is dominating all 6 black barred chicks. They will huddle up in a corner or side and he will get over them and peck at them. Is this normal? Should I put him in solitary confinement? What should I do?? I am so concerned for my BA's!!

Lori

 

[cheeptrick]

I've had a few like this also...you need to stop the behavior. You are HEAD roo and this chick cannot pick on your girls like that. Just be perisistant when you see the behavior take the chick out of the brooder for a little bit. It'll calm down...

 

[MissPrissy]

The chicks are finding their place in the pecking order. They will work it out. As long as there is no bloodshed and no one is being starved from the food it is perfectly normal. You had them separate and now they are toegther and a new pecking order has to be established.

 

[normajean]

I agree with Miss Prissy...same thing happens with horses to some extent.
Just watch to make sure they others are eating drinking and pooping.
Good luck!

 

[chikenlady]

Thanks for your replies. I will keep an eye on them and make sure they are getting enough to eat and drink. I am a teacher and "bullying" in any form just bothers me!!

Lori