Help with week old Cockerel BR killing egg mates.

[Chickycammy]

I was lucky to hatch out 11 chicks this year. The oldest is a BR male, he was there when 5 others were hatching and he seemed okay. Yet, after moving them to the outside brooder he killed one of the other chicks.

2 days ago I had 3 more hatch out and today I thought I could move them from the incubator and into the brooder with the rest. Sadly, that wasn't a good idea. I found him chasing 2 of the 3 around and another with its head laying to the side (yet not dead) I've put a brace on the hurt one hoping it'll heal and not have a messed up neck.

Also, I put the other 2 in a smaller homemade brooder away from the others for now as well as putting the hurt one back into the incubator so it can keep a good temp while trying to heal.

What do I do about this one male attacking everyone? Is it normal for one to do something like this? Should I move all the friendly ones into the brooder and remove him?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes, remove him.

I don't consider that normal but I had something similar happen once. A two week old chick killed a hatchmate when they were being raised by a broody hen. She stood by and did nothing. Then that chick started attacking another, pecking it on the head. The chick that was being attacked just stood there, the broody did nothing. So I locked the aggressive chick by himself all day totally isolated, then returned him to the broody that night. He stopped attacking other chicks though he was the first from that hatch that I put in the freezer. Maybe at 16 weeks.

I was lucky that worked. He could have easily gone back killing his hatchmates. I carefully observed, if he had returned to his old ways he would have been dead.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I was lucky to hatch out 11 chicks this year. The oldest is a BR male, he was there when 5 others were hatching and he seemed okay. Yet, after moving them to the outside brooder he killed one of the other chicks.

2 days ago I had 3 more hatch out and today I thought I could move them from the incubator and into the brooder with the rest. Sadly, that wasn't a good idea. I found him chasing 2 of the 3 around and another with its head laying to the side (yet not dead) I've put a brace on the hurt one hoping it'll heal and not have a messed up neck.

Also, I put the other 2 in a smaller homemade brooder away from the others for now as well as putting the hurt one back into the incubator so it can keep a good temp while trying to heal.

What do I do about this one male attacking everyone? Is it normal for one to do something like this? Should I move all the friendly ones into the brooder and remove him?

How old is the BR cockerel?
Photos of the chicks - especially that cockerel and your brooder set-up would be helpful. (injured chick(s) too please)

How did he kill the chick?
I would move him to his own separate area.
If all the others are peaceable with one another put them together.

 

[Chickycammy]

Yes, remove him.

I don't consider that normal but I had something similar happen once. A two week old chick killed a hatchmate when they were being raised by a broody hen. She stood by and did nothing. Then that chick started attacking another, pecking it on the head. The chick that was being attacked just stood there, the broody did nothing. So I locked the aggressive chick by himself all day totally isolated, then returned him to the broody that night. He stopped attacking other chicks though he was the first from that hatch that I put in the freezer. Maybe at 16 weeks.

I was lucky that worked. He could have easily gone back killing his hatchmates. I carefully observed, if he had returned to his old ways he would have been dead.

Thank you. I will remove him and see if some time alone works. If not I might have to keep him alone his whole life.

 

[Chickycammy]

How old is the BR cockerel?
Photos of the chicks - especially that cockerel and your brooder set-up would be helpful. (injured chick(s) too please)

How did he kill the chick?
I would move him to his own separate area.
If all the others are peaceable with one another put them together.

He hatched out around the 21st. He was only alone for 24 hours before 4 others hatched out. After the 48 hours in the incubator we put them in the brooder outside. It's a normal farm supply house that we blocked off the top half and put in heating lamps. Right now we don't have the lamps on because it's 102f here and my husband didn't want the chicks to get too hot.

 

[BlueBaby]

Is this an early sign of an aggressive roo?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would be afraid they would overheat in there - do you have it in the shade?

He's cute, but I would separate him out for a day or so, then let him visit to see how it goes. But, yes, I agree with @Ridgerunner if the behavior continues, cull him.

 

[Chickycammy]

I would be afraid they would overheat in there - do you have it in the shade?

He's cute, but I would separate him out for a day or so, then let him visit to see how it goes. But, yes, I agree with @Ridgerunner if the behavior continues, cull him.

My yard is very shady and I have the top cracked open for air flow. It worries us but when I check on them they seem fine other then the BR. He's now moved out and peeping up a storm. I just hope we don't have to cull him as a fox just killed his mother 2 nights ago and he's all I have left of her and she was my favorite hen.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My yard is very shady and I have the top cracked open for air flow. It worries us but when I check on them they seem fine other then the BR. He's now moved out and peeping up a storm. I just hope we don't have to cull him as a fox just killed his mother 2 nights ago and he's all I have left of her and she was my favorite hen.

I would have every vent open that there is your temps are really high and chicks have a hard time regulating body heat. I would check on them frequently and make sure they have cool water.
It's only around 90F here and I have fans going even for my chicks - it's hot and humid. Water gets changed out about every 2 hours or so, so everyone can have cool water.

I'm sorry to hear about your hen, that's very sad.
For your little one with the neck injury, it's not looking too well. I would try giving it 2-3 drops of poultry Nutri-Drench twice a day. In between, get her hydrated the best you can. See if she can manage a little wet feed after you get fluids into her.

 

[Chickycammy]

I would have every vent open that there is your temps are really high and chicks have a hard time regulating body heat. I would check on them frequently and make sure they have cool water.
It's only around 90F here and I have fans going even for my chicks - it's hot and humid. Water gets changed out about every 2 hours or so, so everyone can have cool water.

I'm sorry to hear about your hen, that's very sad.
For your little one with the neck injury, it's not looking too well. I would try giving it 2-3 drops of poultry Nutri-Drench twice a day. In between, get her hydrated the best you can. See if she can manage a little wet feed after you get fluids into her.

Yeah, I've been worried about it and even my black cat is staying where the fans are blowing. I've got the fans in the adult coops going as well as every window we made in it open. The adult chickens are spending more time where the fans are then outside.

We have a strong wind blowing so I'm hoping it helps for the little ones. I've got 2 bowls in their brooder right now. One with the Nutri drench and one plain water. I've been keeping a close eye on all the outside animals due to the heat.

I would be shocked if the hurt chick makes it but I'm going to do everything I can to try and help.