Good evening! I'll preface this by saying this is my first flock since I was a kid so I'm basically new to chickens!
This chick is a 7 week old australorp, not sure if it's a pullet or a cockerel yet. I noticed this red spot on its face today and am wondering if it's getting picked at. It's hard to tell in the pic but I feel like its face is redder and scraggly looking too. Last night I found him sleeping on the bar beneath all 15 of his same age buddies and tonight the other 15 are again in a warm pile while this one is 6" away alone. And it's chilly out. It's making me sad!
Does that seem like normal pecking order dynamics or are they possibly sensing something wrong with this chick? I feel terrible for it. I haven't noticed any significant fighting between any of the birds though I do have a couple cockerels that can stir up the birds but it's usually over quick.
Unfortunately we have a house sitter coming soon that isn't super comfortable with them and it's supposed to be in the low 20s at night. Should I separate this guy/girl and give it some heat or just let it be? Maybe it's normal but it seems way cold to be roosting alone. Thanks so much for any advice!
This chick is a 7 week old australorp, not sure if it's a pullet or a cockerel yet. I noticed this red spot on its face today and am wondering if it's getting picked at. It's hard to tell in the pic but I feel like its face is redder and scraggly looking too. Last night I found him sleeping on the bar beneath all 15 of his same age buddies and tonight the other 15 are again in a warm pile while this one is 6" away alone. And it's chilly out. It's making me sad!
Does that seem like normal pecking order dynamics or are they possibly sensing something wrong with this chick? I feel terrible for it. I haven't noticed any significant fighting between any of the birds though I do have a couple cockerels that can stir up the birds but it's usually over quick.
Unfortunately we have a house sitter coming soon that isn't super comfortable with them and it's supposed to be in the low 20s at night. Should I separate this guy/girl and give it some heat or just let it be? Maybe it's normal but it seems way cold to be roosting alone. Thanks so much for any advice!