How do I reintroduce aggressive chick back into flock?

cambriagardener · May 8, 2009

I've had an aggressive chick (now six weeks old) isolated in a second brooder for two weeks. I've tried to put her back into the larger brooder twice, but she acts like she is going to kill the other chicks. Sad, isn't it?

The other five chicks are being moved to their new henhouse this weekend. Any suggestions on how to reintroduce her at this time? Should I keep her in a separate cage within the henhouse? Should I mingle her with the others only in the outside area under supervision? I've been told to squirt her with a spray bottle when she attacks, and to be diligent.

She very well could be a roo, and if she is, I have luckily found someone on a ranch that will take this Silver-laced Wyandotte when she is able to survive without heat. I've spent so much energy on her up to this point, I'd like to feel that I've done all I can to rehabilitate her before she goes.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Mahonri · May 8, 2009

I imagine all you can do is try and be on hand in case it gets out of hand.

Mahlzeit · May 8, 2009

There is really only so much you can do. If they are all together in a big enough space for the others to escape I would say try putting them together at night. I've always had the best results this way. Is this one constantly going after the others or is it just trying to establish dominance as top of the pecking order?

cambriagardener · May 8, 2009

This is really awful (demonic) behavior going on since the chicks were three weeks old. Not like the normal pecking order actions of other chickens I've seen.

Is it best to move chickens from the brooder to the hen house in the night? I could move the five in for a day or two (to get used to the coop) then try her. I'm sorry to say the coop is very small. Probably not big enough for them to really get away from her if she decides to go on one of her rampages.

I'm really at a loss at what to do next.

Thanks for suggestions.

onthespot · May 8, 2009

I would move the smaller chicks to the hen house and get them all settled in there for several days, until they have a strong pecking order established. Then i would put the meanie in a wire cage in the hen house and NOT let her roost, or get higher than those other chicks, or anything. I would let them eat and drink on top of her cage, just go EVERYWHERE around her and her not be able to do anything about it. After several days of that I would let her out and make sure there are some low hidey holes, like a piece of plywood up on bricks that the youngsters could go under but she couldn't, and visual blocks, like cardboard boxes, lots of ways for the chicks to get through but she can't. Eventually she will get used to them and be a part of the flock I would think You just want to stack the deck in favor of the smal chicks getting a safe place to hide within a couple seconds of her being aggressive, and also put food and water dishes everywhere so she can't dominate the only food and water source and they all stay fat and sassy and well hydrated so they never look weak t her.

cambriagardener · May 9, 2009

Thank you for the practical suggestions. I think I can do most of what you suggested. I'm beginning to understand the concept of "putting her in her place". I will be following through on these tips this week and let you know how it works out.

Again, my thanks.

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How do I reintroduce aggressive chick back into flock?

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