Light Brahma cockerel getting picked on all at once

[Tstraub]

I’m brand new to chickens and we’re raising our first flock. We have 11 chicks around 5-6 weeks old they are currently in a stock tank while they finish feathering and I finish building their coop.
They have been getting along really well as far as I could tell but every once in a while they would pick at each other but had never done any damage. Today my light Brahma that I bought as a pullet but has recently started showing as a cockerel has injuries on both wings.

I did separate him from the group. What do I do next?

 

[sourland]

Your chicks are way too crowded. They need more space. I would put antibiotic ointment on his wounds and in a day or two integrate with a couple of the least aggressive chicks until the wings heal - monitor closely as this picking can progress to full blown cannibalism.

 

[Tstraub]

Your chicks are way too crowded. They need more space. I would put antibiotic ointment on his wounds and in a day or two integrate with a couple of the least aggressive chicks until the wings heal - monitor closely as this picking can progress to full blown cannibalism.

Thank you for your response. I was afraid they were too crowded. When we got them they had so much room. But they grew a lot faster than I expected. The easiest way for me to give them more room would be to move at least some of them outside to the coop I’m still building.
I could have the coop predator safe with a few hours work. The run isn’t even started yet but the coop itself is nearly complete. Do you think some of my bigger birds are ready to make the move? It’s been mid 70s during the day but low 40s possibly even high 30s at night. Attached is a couple pictures of the ones that might be ok in the coop.

 

[Tstraub]

Update. The injured chicken has made a full recovery. Now my issue is that I need to get him and the Brahma pullet I put with him for companionship back with the flock. I have put them together in the run a few times for several hours at a time. I haven’t seen any real fighting. A few raised heckles and short standoffs but it always ends quickly.

I have not tried putting them in the coop yet. Should I expect the chickens that have been living in the coop to defend their home or anything like that? When they are in the run I could easily break up a fight if need be but the coop is 6x10 foot so I can’t reach them if they get in a fight away from the door. It’s only about 4 ft tall I could crawl and crouch threw it if need be but I would not be nearly as fast as them if they run from me. Thanks for any advice

 

[TropicalBabies]

Update. The injured chicken has made a full recovery. Now my issue is that I need to get him and the Brahma pullet I put with him for companionship back with the flock. I have put them together in the run a few times for several hours at a time. I haven’t seen any real fighting. A few raised heckles and short standoffs but it always ends quickly.

I have not tried putting them in the coop yet. Should I expect the chickens that have been living in the coop to defend their home or anything like that? When they are in the run I could easily break up a fight if need be but the coop is 6x10 foot so I can’t reach them if they get in a fight away from the door. It’s only about 4 ft tall I could crawl and crouch threw it if need be but I would not be nearly as fast as them if they run from me. Thanks for any advice View attachment 3490255

How many boys did you end up with?

If it were me I'd treat it as a introduction with a look but don't touch set up. A weather safe large dog cage for the 2 inside the run area, I add a roost. I'm sure it will be a pretty quick one, few days to a week till you feel confident they will behave together.
Best of luck and welcome!

 

[Tstraub]

How many boys did you end up with?

If it were me I'd treat it as a introduction with a look but don't touch set up. A weather safe large dog cage for the 2 inside the run area, I add a roost. I'm sure it will be a pretty quick one, few days to a week till you feel confident they will behave together.
Best of luck and welcome!

As far as I can tell I have 10 pullets and one cockerel. They are about 8 weeks old so it’s possible that there is another boy hiding in there. Thanks for your advice. I’ll look around for a cheap used dog crate or possibly build a makeshift one out of scrap wood and fence material left over from the coop build.

 

[TropicalBabies]

As far as I can tell I have 10 pullets and one cockerel. They are about 8 weeks old so it’s possible that there is another boy hiding in there. Thanks for your advice. I’ll look around for a cheap used dog crate or possibly build a makeshift one out of scrap wood and fence material left over from the coop build.

Perfect!