help with mean chick!

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plymouthrox

plymouthrox

In the Brooder
Mar 15, 2015
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Hi! I live in a suburb in Boise, Idaho! I'm realatively new to having chickens, I had a flock of two white Plymouth rocks and a petsitter left them out for a night on accident and they were gobbled up by a badger! D: But I am back at it again!

I have picked up two chicks when they were 3 days old, a Barred Plymouth Rock and a White Plymouth Rock and they are now 17 days old. In the picture above the black one is Kendall and the white one is Lele.

When I picked them up from Dunlap Hatchery I was told that they were for sure hens (which I know there is always a possibility that there is a rooster) but lately Kendall the Barred Plymouth has been very fiesty! I have researched them and have found that this breed can be very moody and bossy but I am worried! Kendall is constantly pecking Lele's the White Plymouth eyes. Lele is now significant smaller and lighter than Kendall and hasn't grown in feathers like Kendall. I dont know if this is normal because the breeds are different? Has anybody had this problem? Help! I just want happy chicks!
 
A badger? Where in Boise do you live? I have never seen a badger here. As long as the larger chicks isn't injuring the other or stopping it from eating and drinking they will most likely work things out. Some birds are just bossier than others.
 
so sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
those two birds are not the same age. the white one appears to be five - seven days behind the first.

the breed can be bossy, but with anything, you can find a gentle one. The meanness was bred into that chick. Being mean isn't always a bad thing, in the right situations, this isn't one of them. like people, some will get along, some will not. You can wait it out, and hope nothing serious happens (which it almost always does once you are already super attached). or you can rehome/ or cull the black barred and search for another with a better temperament, that gets along with your gentle sweetypie. if you decide on the latter, please inform the new owner the reason for rehoming.
 
They are awfully young to pigeon hole into any group. Chicks peck and chest bump and sometimes go for eyes - that is par for the course. Puppies also practice fighting etc. Young animals do that. If it escalates into bloodshed that is a different story. They may be the same age but, one could be a male and the other a female. It's too young to determine that.

When they are 6-8 weeks old post individual clear photos of them at "what breed or gender is this." Folks on that thread are pretty good , unless the chicks are mixed breed or poor quality lacking breed type.

The bigger chick has no one else to tussle with. Give them some things to distract them. You could try a little box they can go in and out of, some blocks to jump on, a real tree branch to practice roosting, a brightly colored ball they can chase. Give them a mirror so they have a buddy, or a stuffed animal to cuddle with or drag around.

More responders will be coming along, so please don't rush to judgement. Welcome to BYC.
 
One more thing, chicks are naturally drawn to shiny things like jewelry, painted nails and eyes. They will just as likely try to peck your eyes as those on another chick., which is a good reason to wear safety goggles if you intend to hold them up to your face. Chickens don't have hands so they explore everything by pecking.
 
Thank you all so much! I've put a tree branch and a mirror in their stater house! I'm hoping I can wait this out!
 
Welcome to BYC!
frow.gif
I'm glad you joined our community.

Drumstick Diva has given you some good advice! Chicks are sometimes mean/dominating when young. However, they won't neccesarily be mean as adult hens. Sometimes, they are just inquisitive and peck at things they shouldn't (like other chicks eyes).
 

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