Help plz!

[Chesterchook]

So we've got a bit of a problem - one of our chicks (a speckled sussex) is being pecked by all of the others. The poor thing has gotten bloody spots on its shoulders because of it and the others just keep at it. It doesn't seem to be an aggressive act, more like the others see something different and just feel compelled to peck at it, like chicken OCD or something. We separated it from the rest of the group and it kept crying until we put a few of our buff brahma chicks in with it, who out of all of our chicks seem to have the gentlest disposition and have been leaving the sore spots alone.

Any input on how to proceed? I'm not sure if it's a good idea to keep it separate for too long, figure we might run into similar problems if we isolate it until it heals because it will have become an outsider. On the other hand, I'm worried it'll be killed if we leave it with the rest.

Wasn't sure whether to post this here or in "Raising Baby Chicks", seems like it kinda qualifies for both...

 

[sourland]

I would suggest leaving it with the Brahma chicks until it heals and then reintroduce all of them to the larger group.

 

[stargirl]

Poor little thing! Can you seperate her but in an adjacent cage? So there's just the bars between her and the others. It would help with the re-integration issue you're worried about.
Have you looked at anti-pecking sprays and treatments? There are lots of different ones on the market - I've heard good things about this one http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Gentian_Violet_Spray.html

 

[delisha]

For now you did the right thing. Good job. You can put her back for a few minutes daily(with supervision) while you clean, feed etc. One day(when she is all healed and the pecking stops) you will not have to return her to the adopted siblings.

 

[Chesterchook]

Thanks, for long(er) term isolation we'd have to rig up something else, for the moment we have them in a cardboard box. I didn't realize this was such a common chicken issue, stargirl, your suggestion got me searching and I found this thread from a few years back. Think I may head to the local feed store and see what they've got along those lines.