Help! Bully Chick

[Chickenmom23]

We have never had chicks before but decided to start down this rabbit hole. We got 6 chicks three weeks ago, 2 lavender orpingtons, 2 easter eggers and 2 silkies. They are all pretty calm breeds. We think one of the silkies may be a rooster as their feathers are coming in differently but only time will tell. Two weeks ago we decided to add a little prairie bluebell chick that was the same age as the others. It is nice and healthy and came from the same breeder but she keeps pulling at the feathers of the other chicks. I know they are supposed to be a more active breed. It isn’t bullying against a certain chick, she’s doing it to ALL of them. I thought at first it might be trying to figure out the pecking order but it has continued. The others do not do this behavior so I don’t think it is space or food. They are at 1 square foot per chick in the brooder pen they are in. But I did order a larger pen so they will have more room. They have a “jungle gym” two mirrors and dot drawings on the walls, food and water at all times and are getting at least 8 hours of dark at night with a heat plate in place of a lamp so not too much light stimulation. Tried a pecking block but no one messed with it. (in fact they were scared of it lol) I tried putting her in another pen for a couple of minutes to give one of them a break and she peeped like a maniac until she was back with the others do not sure if separating will be too stressful. Any other suggestions you might be able to add to deal with that type of behavior? It’s getting worse and they will give a little squeak now as she pulls so hard. I have seen some anti pecking sprays but wasn’t sure if they are safe for 4-5 week old chicks.

 

[Chicken Heel]

I would remove the offender for now and try to reintroduce once all have feathered out completely.

 

[Chicken poppy]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! And welcome to owning some cute chickies!

Silkies are very hard to tell gender for. Though non bearded silkies are easier.

You can tell, though this will take a bit. When the male gets some spikey feathers coming from the back of his head, called streamers.

not to sure on the bullying issue, sorry. Maybe someone else can come along and help

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can you fence off a separate section for just that chick, but still in full sight of the others?

 

[The chicken nurd]

I would try separating the bully but keeping her in sight of the others

Also just to note “prairie bluebell” is just another name for Easter egger so she’s the same breed as your other EEs

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Try removing her for a while and putting her back in. Also make sure that they have things to do and are not pecking out of boredom.

 

[Chickenmom23]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! And welcome to owning some cute chickies!

Silkies are very hard to tell gender for. Though non bearded silkies are easier.

You can tell, though this will take a bit. When the male gets some spikey feathers coming from the back of his head, called streamers.

not to sure on the bullying issue, sorry. Maybe someone else can come along and help

They are so funny and turning into quite the fluff balls now that their legs heads and tails are coming in!

 

[Chickenmom23]

Try removing her for a while and putting her back in. Also make sure that they have things to do and are not pecking out of boredom.

They have dots drawn on a board on the side, two mirrors, and a roosting bar type thing. We tried a small pecking block but they weren’t interested. Any other suggestions for activities to add?

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

My chicks would spend all day pecking at a farmers helper baby cake.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

They have dots drawn on a board on the side, two mirrors, and a roosting bar type thing. We tried a small pecking block but they weren’t interested. Any other suggestions for activities to add?

I dont know any other activities. Mine only have a mirror a roosting bar and a xylophone that came with the mirror. I had a easter egger last year that started attacking my brahma then she tried attacking me. So i ended up getting rid of her. Hope you can figure out the problem. Also seperating her for a few days again might help.