How Long Should I Keep a Jerk Separated?

[Ekalaka]

I have 11 Ameraucana chicks that are 7 weeks old. They’re in a space that is admitedly a little small (an XXL dog kennel inside the barn)(barn itself is not predator-proof) for the next week or so while the new coop is getting built.

I usually sit with them for a while every day, and yesterday I noticed somebody pecking everybody else and generally being a bully. I said “Nuh uh not in my barn!” and scooped him out of there. He now has his own kennel where he can see his buddies and it makes him very upset, but I’m not sorry. Jerk.

I’ve read that if you keep a chicken separated for a while it puts him on the bottom of the pecking order when he rejoins the flock. Is that true? If so, how long does it take? Is there a better way to manage this so everybody stays healthy until they move into their luxury accommodations?

 

[Mrs. K]

Split them up, so that you have more space for everyone. The problem with chicks is that they grow so fast, that what was more than enough room when they were little rapidly becomes not enough space when they are bigger.

It is not this bird being jerk, that bird is reacting to not enough space. Other birds will also begin to act up, and sometimes establishing terrible habits. They just keep growing and need more space, and will fight to get it.

Try this, pull out 5 chicks, and see if the rest do not relax. At first, I did not recognize tension in a flock due to space, but a predator helped me out. I was just sick, but quickly realized how much more relaxed a flock I had. I took a head count, and kept that set up below that number.

Build faster on the new digs!

Mrs K

 

[Ekalaka]

I’m buildin I’m buildin! Concrete is scheduled for Friday!

 

[Parront]

I’m buildin I’m buildin! Concrete is scheduled for Friday!

A quickly thrown together "chicken tractor" might help you through the gap until they can move to the new coop. Here is a quick PVC tractor: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/moving-to-a-tractor.1373267/#post-22584264

 

[aart]

Concrete is scheduled for Friday!

Concrete takes 28 days to cure.

Is there a better way to manage this so everybody stays healthy until they move into their luxury accommodations?

Get them in a bigger space now.
You may have to rig up and enclosure so the can live peaceably until the coop is built.