One chick pecking at another chick's wings, Help!

[cicene mete]

One of our chicks is pecking at the other one's wings. It's like she's pulling the fuzz off of the newly sprouted wings. I tried bluecote, and aside from making a mess, it did not dissuade her from pecking. Any advice?

 

[Judy]

I don't know of much else except separate them. Sometimes when chickens eat feathers it is because they need more protein, I have heard.

 

[ranchhand]

Hard to say without more details, but when my chicks start that nonsense, I separate them with wire screen, a baking rack, anything, that they can still see each other and socialize but not pick. If the "peckee" has one or two of the mellower ones in with it, it helps. But you still have to watch them- sometimes the mellow ones will become agressive when the bullies can't get to them!


ETA good point about protein, though it doesn't usually start until later- what are they eating, chick starter?

 

[cicene mete]

Yes, chicken starter. The one who is the peckee had spraddle leg and is currently wearing a Band-Aid splint. They are both bantams, and we rescued the spraddle leg chick from TSC. The other we brought home as a friend. Some friend

. Anyway, the pecker goes for the wings and the feet. The bluecote made no difference. We have them separated by milk bottles now, but they are both going nuts as they are alone.

I'm afraid to put too much more gunk on the poor little spraddle legged chick because she has a hard enough time trying to stand. I have some vicks, so I don't know that the next step.

Exasperatedly yours.