Help! New chick has been pecked in the neck!

[tanyizzle]

Hello everyone, my boyfriend and I purchased 6 chicks yesterday from Tractor Supply. We had initially set them up with standard heat lamp in a fairly large circular, metal bin. When checking on them this morning we found that one of them had been pecked at the back of the neck. The chick could eat and walk around, but the others continued to randomly peck at her.

We located a large box in the basement and have since converted it into a larger brooder for the others. The pecked chick is now separated and in the metal bin. However, the lonely chick was clearly upset by having been removed from the rest. We decided to take the youngest of the others and put it in the metal bin with her. I will be checking on them shortly to make sure no further damage has been done.

My boyfriend is going back to the store right now to get two red heat lamps, instead of the standard white lights we have right now. I hope with the introduction of the red lamps, and the larger living quarters we'll see an improvement.

What else should I do?! I think I read somewhere about putting baby powder on the chicks to prevent pecking? Are there other home remedies?

Should I remove the uninjured chick and just ignore the pecked one's cries? Can I put a fake 'companion' in with her?

Also, I read somewhere that I should put a little sugar in the water of the one that is hurt. Is that recommended? Are there other foods that I should introduce to them, other than the basic chick feed we bought yesterday?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide!

 

[hennyannie]

I use blood stop powder on pecked chicks, also Blue Kote spray and I cant usually leave the chicks together. You will have to watch them close now that they have done this to one, but the red light I do think helps alot.

 

[tanyizzle]

Thanks! I'm not sure where to find that stuff locally, but my bf is going to check Tractor Supply. If we can't find it we'll likely just order it online. Hopefully the chick can wait til Monday if need be. I'll post an update as soon as I can.

 

[chickengrl]

Tractor supply should have Bluekote and it will act as antiseptic and color the wound blue so the other chicks don't recognize it as blood and go after it. It will also color your hands so be careful, gloves are not a bad idea. Keep an eye on them even if you go this route. Good luck!

 

[tanyizzle]

We purchased and applied Blue Lotion to the chick's neck. In hindsight I should have used a q-tip instead of the supplied application brush. (Live and Learn) I'm glad I read this forum so I knew to wear a pair of disposable kitchen gloves when working with the product.

We also installed the red heat lamps, and I must say there has been a considerable difference in behavior in all the chicks. They seem less jumpy and appear more relaxed.

It's been a couple days now and the injured chick seems to be doing much better. She and her room mate are getting along and there is no evidence of new wounds. Perhaps tomorrow I will try to reintroduce them to the rest of the flock... under close supervision, of course.

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[chickengrl]

awesome! glad it worked out for you!