Newbie needs help!

[taradye3]

I just bought my first baby chicks! I got three. One Cornish, one Rhode Island Red, and one that was labeled as a Rainbow. I've been researching a lot before the purchase. I'm clearly not an expert on breads or anything. We are just wanting some egg laying chickens. Anyways, we just got them today. After getting everything set up for them, we left for only about an hour or so, and we came back home to the Cornish having a couple of bleeding scratches on their back. Are they fighting? Will they get over it? What should I do? I think it's the RIR that did it just from my observations afterwards. But I don't know that for sure. Please help!!!

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

BYC has a very useful learning center

It probably is the RIR chick as they are a little agressive but it sounds like a pecking order is being established ...

You have photos of your new chicks ...

Here is a little trick try feeding them a hard boiled egg everyday for a couple of weeks as there is plenty of niacin and vitamin B-3 .....

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X2 you might want to post pictures. How old are the chicks? Is there any place the cornish could have gotten stuck in? Chicks that are pecking on each other are often too hot or crowded, be sure your brooder has plenty of space and cooler spots.

 

[drumstick diva]

Some breeds are more aggressive than others. If you see a particular bird attacking another you may want to put her in a cage for a few days to take her down a peg or two. When she comes back to the flock it will be like she is a new chicken being added to the group - which may humble her.

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

Make sure you have enough space in the brooder and keep an eye on them for signs of bullying. Put some Blu-kote on the scratches to mask the blood so the others don't peck it.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

X3 on the space. Some birds are more prone to going off on each other when they are cramped and too warm. So make sure your temp is correct for their ages and lower it if you have to a few degrees, and give them a bigger brooder so they are more comfortable. Correct this now before you have loses.

Good luck with your babies and welcome to our flock!