help! 4 day old chick really aggressive!

[8HesperiaChickens]

I got my order of 12 chicks back in March, 2 of them Ameracaunas/EE. At day 3 or 4 I noticed one of them was really aggressive to the point that I named her Attila the Hen. Well, she turned out to be Attila the Him. Although he doesn't seem to be overly mean, he definitely is still aggressive. The other EE is a nice sweet and sort of shy hen.

 

[Ironmaiden]

How inventive you are! Wow! I sure hope it works! By the way...we have the same ceramic tile!

 

[burquechick]

I don't know if somebody already said this, so forgive me, but I don't think you should cull her!! I think she will grow out of it once she figures out eyelids aren't food. Chicks peck each other because moving things are usually food. It's instinct. Eyelids and toes look like tasty worms. She's not doing anything wrong, and it's not necessarily a sign of a "bad seed". I would keep her separate, but visible with the other chicks. Like, put her in her own wire cage inside the brooder with her own food and water. This way she will get used to seeing the other chicks and not eating them. If she can't see them, like you put her in a cardboard box, then she just forgets what chicks looks like and when you put her back in, she might just continue trying to eat their eyelids all over again. See, but not touch. That's the key.

 

[ekemily]

Quote:

 

[Christie Rhae]

Quote:
Oh don't worry I would never be able to cull a chick even if I wanted to. She is doing well now. I think you might have missed some of the posts. I kept her in the chicken wire little cage that I made inside the brooder like in the pic I posted where she can see the other chicks but cannot get to them. Today they are 5 days old, well they hatched monday (maybe I mis-counted? I guess they are actually 4 days today...hmm) Anyway they all seem to be getting along much better. So all is good in chick world...whew.

 

[Christie Rhae]

10 months later......

My little eyeball pecker is all grown up. She lays beautiful pale blue eggs. My kids always refer to her as "bully girl" which is ironic because Miss Bully Girl now finds herself at the bottom of the pecking order out of 16 hens. Her tail feathers keep getting pecked and she has to always dodge the more dominant hens. So at the beginning of her life I had to protect others from her, now I am trying to protect her from others. Ahh the circle of life...or karma or whatever... lol


You can even see blood on her tail from this morning...sigh

 

[fshinggrl]

Thanks for the update! Sorry about the change of pecking order.

 

[AZSummer]

Wow. It's funny that people seem to have problems with Ameracaunas. I have a mixed flock too. One of the Ameracaunas was a trouble maker too. We separated her and a BO who was only aggressive when the Shelia was around. Shelia liked her so we put her in so Shelia wouldn't be alone. They were away from the flock for 4 days total. Things are good now.

 

[susandonb]

I just read this thread, cause I have the same issue with a blue wyandotte I brought home in a flock of 24 chicks. it is doing the same exact thing. friends I have asked think it is a roo. I cant do all the troubleshooting this person did and just want to eliminate the problem. When it is out of the brooder everything is peaceful.

 

[ladybugmama3]

I'm kind of glad i'm not the only one having this problem but then again its horrible seeing few day old chicks peck each other so much. I am a newbie at hatching eggs and got my first pullets last year in Aug 1 RIR and 1 BO. They have been so wonderful and easy from day one I am a bit discouraged today.

My new babies are Chocolate Bantam Orpingtons. I've read that this breed tends to be docile and gentle, but im not seeing that to much today.

The chicks hatched Tuesday and I heard a lot of squeaking and squawking today (thurs). I found 3 babies gaging up on one pecking its chest, thank goodness no skin had been broken all the fluff was wet and mostly could see her skin. I Removed the victim and put her in a separate box within the brooder. The brooder is 29inches x 25.5 inches cardboard box, lined with paper towel. After reading some of these posts ive put shavings, a mirror and some parsley inside. After watching a bit more I think there is 1 that is the instigator. I will be getting some chicken wire tomorrow and make the "box". Seems mean to not let them see eachother.

I also have 3- 25 day old chicks, they have been getting along great till today as well. the brooder for these guys is 2x3 and 1 is jumping at the others pecking and chasing them. Im wondering if this is a roo.

Anyway it feels so great being able to post here and read others experiences. Thank you BYC. Please give any other suggestions! this newbie needs help