Help...I have a bully!

[jneil]

We have 6 chicks we hatched 2 weeks ago. Last night one of the chicks started picking on one of the others. The chick went after the same chick over and over and became more aggressive over night. By this morning we knew something had to be done...the chick would corner the other and grab it by the neck or wing and come away with the a mouth full of feathers. The poor abused chick couldn't get to food or water and was huddling behind the other chicks or in the corner. We decided to separate the bully into his own brooder. The jailed chick complained and complained so we decided to put another chick in there because we figured he was lonely. After that peace on the home front. How long should I keep this bully separate from the other chicks?

 

[oldorchardfarms]

there will be a peckin order,you should check the chick over very well that was getting pecked make sure its not sick.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'd try to put them back in after a few days. If it continues, then separate for a week.

Is there something wrong with this one chick? Because chickens can and will attack a weak or ill chick.

 

[jneil]

We are keeping a close eye the abused chick but he/she seems totally fine and not sick/hurt at all. We will give it a few days. My husband and I think maybe they are both roosters and the bully is trying to dominate the other and is just very aggressive....

 

[Hunter0704]

If the pecking and pulling of feathers continues, get rid of, or rehome the offensive chick. When my chicks turned about 12 weeks old there were two of them, Rhode Island chicks, that attacked one other chick relentlessly and actually drew blood. I made a few phone calls that day and rehomed both of the RIR girls immediately. Now, my remaining chickens are all very happy!!!

 

[Pele]

I agree completely with Hunter, as I had an aggressive chick that was blocking others from food and water, pecking, chasing, and generally making everyone (including me) miserable.

If seperating this chick from the flock for a week doesn't reset the pecking order, by all means rehome her, preferably with an established flock who will put her in her place. A lot of people focus on culling/getting rid of mean roos, but I think it's just as important to have peaceful females in your flock. Chickens are supposed to be fun and rewarding .

 

[hollyk]

Amen on Hunter and Pele, no need to put up with an aggressive bird. I have had a couple and the first one I didn't know what to do with it and it killed one of the others and it grew up into a mean thing that wound up as dinner. There is not an easy remedy, but hopefully the isolation will fix it.

 

[jneil]

Thanks for all the advice. The bully is still in isolation and I will give it a week. I am hoping that he stops doing this because he is friendly to us and to all the other chickens except one. I don't know what it is about this one chick that he picks on but that is the only one he goes after...doesn't bother anyone else.

 

[Ole rooster]

The bully will be the stranger when it returns. Then see who's the picker and who's the pickey.