Mean chicks

[Ch1ckens321]

I have six three week old chicks each one healthy and well taken care of. Four are Small Bantam chickens and two are Rhode Island Reds. All of them have gotten along well until just recently. The Reds are much bigger than the Bantams but cause no problems among them. It’s two of the bantams that are causing the fights. One of the Bantams has an oddly large comb (red thing on its head) for its age, but it’s healthy and happy. The comb attracted the attention of another one of the bantams ( it’s the same ones each time ) and it will peck at the comb and has previously made it bleed. It had also recently ripped feathers out from this particular one. It is the only chick that shows aggression to the other one. We tried taking the one with the large comb away for a bit and then sent it back in, but when it tried to return to the group the aggressive one pecked it until it cowered away. Tonight they are all sleeping together peacefully but I’m worried this might continue to the death to one of my chicks. If we separate the one for to long then when it returns to the others it will be a stranger and probably killed. Help and positive feedback would be very much appreciated. Thanks for the help.

 

[Purple_grape84]

Take out the bully for a couple days. When you reintroduce them he will be the one uncomfortable.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! If you need to separate someone, try removing the aggressive chick instead, for a week or two.
How much space do they have? Crowding in the brooder, or too bright a light, can be real issues. They grow so fast!
How about some pictures, of the coop and chicks?
What breeds do you have?
Mary

 

[keesmom]

The 2 causing problems could also be cockerels.

 

[so lucky]

I'm wondering if coating the large comb with blu-kote would make it less attractive to the bully?

 

[Henriettamom919]

Take out the bully for a couple days. When you reintroduce them he will be the one uncomfortable.

Yes! Squirt bottles work well as a deterrent but only if you can spare the time to catch the bully in the act and only if the behavior continues after a separation period.

Are you sure you don't have a roo?

 

[Anime2lover]

Yes blue cote and pick no more are excellent for picking prevention. But I cant say ive ever used it on anything but adults.

 

[Ch1ckens321]

Take out the bully for a couple days. When you reintroduce them he will be the one uncomfortable.

Thanks for the suggestion I’ll look into it

 

[Ch1ckens321]

Welcome! If you need to separate someone, try removing the aggressive chick instead, for a week or two.
How much space do they have? Crowding in the brooder, or too bright a light, can be real issues. They grow so fast!
How about some pictures, of the coop and chicks?
What breeds do you have?
Mary

Welcome! If you need to separate someone, try removing the aggressive chick instead, for a week or two.
How much space do they have? Crowding in the brooder, or too bright a light, can be real issues. They grow so fast!
How about some pictures, of the coop and chicks?
What breeds do you have?
Mary

i have 4 bantams and 2 Rhode Island reds and they have a large area to be in and thanks for the suggestion. Also I looked online and it said that stress provokes behavior and we just moved them to a new enclosure so I’m sure that’s it

 

[Ch1ckens321]

The 2 causing problems could also be cockerels.

I’m not sure what cockerels are