Mean 2 day old Bantum

[jtbrown]

I am very new to this. Yesterday, went to TSC, picked up 8 mixed bantums. They are so cute. . . However, once home, one of the smallest of the little ones started pecking right at the eyes of the other chicks. They would squawk and run away. He was the most persistant little thing I have ever seen. I separated him in another box within the brooder and the box still had areas of warm and coolness with food and water. He made so much noise after a while I put him back in and he is still doing it, just not so much. Any suggestions on what I can do? Is this common? The other chicks we having are 7 days old, and I put him in briefly with them (even though the little one is 1/5th of their size) and he did the same thing to them, he just had to jump higher to hit their eyes. Any suggestions would be helpful. I am so new to this, I don't know if this mean little one can actually injure the others, or if the behavior will go away on it's own. Thanks

 

[Lisa202]

I think you did the right thing by separating the mean one. You just have to do it for longer. How long? I don't know. I know that they do this with a mean chicken and when she is put back with the flock, she'll usually be lower on the pecking order which helps stop the bad behavior.

 

[teach1rusl]

My little ones pecked at tiny toes and eyes (eyes look like little dark bugs). It's not about being mean - it's basically exploration. Toddlers explore with their hands and fingers. Chicks only have beaks.
Now, obviously if the chick is doing damage, he/she would have to be separated...I'd do it with wire inside the same brooder as the rest. But I know with my guys, they stopped doing it within a few days. Well...someone will still peck at someones eye or feather spot every once in a blue moon...but it mostly goes away

 

[jtbrown]

It has improved. Little one seems fine but did notice that he or she had a better attitude when I reintroduced. I havent been so concerned over anything since we brought our kids home, I think I am hooked!

thanks for input.