Help! Chick getting bullied!

[JC87]

Hi all,

I have two chicks, one pullet and one cockerel. The pullet is bullying the cockerel by peck his eyes and feet. I've tried putting a wall between them in their brooder, but they are still getting into fights the moment I let them out. How do I stop this?

 

[hysop]

Are they the same age? When did this start? Have they been together since the start?

 

[JC87]

Yes, they are the same age and have been together their whole life. It was actually vice-versa at the start, but around three days old, the pullet started to bully the cockerel.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

They're chicks, they should work it out just fine I think you are over-concerned. One chick vs one chick shouldn't cause damage. It's when you have an injure chick in a brood that there can be big problems with them all picking on (or trampling) the other.

How do you know a pullet and a cockerel at 3 days?

 

[JC87]

I hatched them out.

 

[hysop]

I hatched them out.

Oh they are sex links or autosexed?

I wouldn’t worry if they are only a few days old. As long as you don’t see blood or injuries then they’re just doing their pecking order.