Help! Chicks beating on one cockerel!

[ginznchix]

I just moved 5 4 week old chicks into their coop, with a light in the corner for warmth, where it stays mid 80's. The coop is 4x6, bigger than the box they were in, with ladders to roost on and lots of room. All of a sudden they are viciously attacking the only obvious roo in the group, although there may be more roos. They're not just pecking, they're attacking to kill it seems! He had the most obvious pink comb, which is now bleeding, and he's so scared he won't come down from up on the highest roost, where it's going to be too cold! He isn't allowed under the light! He's a very healthy and active guy, not weak or sick so I don't get it.

At the moment he's in my house but I know he has to go back - what do I do? These chicks are EE/bantam mixes, all different, starting to show some size difference. He was the biggest but 2 are now a bit bigger. HELP!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Wow, poor guy.


Can you put him back and watch to see who starts the mob? Then I would take the leader out for a day or two - leaving the picked on chick with the others. Maybe a few days in time out for the bully will adjust its attitude.

 

[ginznchix]

That's exactly what I did today. I found the head bully and removed her and the others backed off quite a bit. She's now in a small cage right in the coop with them where she can't get at him. He's not quite as scared now and he's not bleeding anymore, so they're not picking at him as much. I'll just keep a careful eye, keep them together but separate, and see how it goes in the next couple of days. But he's my favorite so they'd better CUT THE CRAP!