Only the White Rocks are affected

[ellie32526]

When I went out last night to check on them, everybody was good, then this morning I find all four of the White Rocks have been pecked until they are bleeding. None of the other chicks have any visible pecked sores. Ugh!

I separated the four white ones in a smaller bin, I treated the sores with Providone Iodine (all I had right now-I use this to treat my dogs when they get injured) but I smeared the Iodine all over not just on the sores so it wouldn't attract pecking from any of the others. Not my White Rocks look more like Buff Rocks, LOL.

I checked on them tonight, everybody seems to be okay, fingers crossed we don't have a repeat of last night.

I think my chicks have their days and nights mixed up. They seem to sleep all day and get active at night. I turn the over head light on in the day and off at night. I have a red brooder lamp. It has been pretty cold at night and then gets hot in the daytime inside the coop, so I have been turning the heat lamp off during the day, so maybe the heat lamp is keeping them awake at night.

I am wondering if my brooder is too small for them. I am using the cardboard box that my chest freezer came in. I will have to measure it to be sure but it's about 2ftW X 5 ft.L X 3 ft H.

 

[mmktdox]

How many do you have in that area? And how old are they? I had to separate my white rocks from the other chicks, they always got picked on and bloodied up. I was never sure if it was a space issue or just different temperments but separation fixed the problem for me. Good luck!

 

[ellie32526]

Yep, I have not had a problem since I separated the white rock chicks. I only have 4 of them so I'm okay for now, but I'm thinking they will get cramped soon so I need to find a bigger place for them.I am concerned when I try to re-integrate them with the others that the pecking will start again. I don't want two flocks. Did you ever put yours back together? How did it work out? I'm going to keep them separated until it heals well. I am hoping it gets warm soon so I can take them outside for a bit. i think they might be bored. Do you think I could hang an apple in the brooder for them to peck at so they don't peck each other or are they too young for apples?

 

[ellie32526]

How many do you have in that area? And how old are they? I had to separate my white rocks from the other chicks, they always got picked on and bloodied up. I was never sure if it was a space issue or just different temperments but separation fixed the problem for me. Good luck!

I have four and they are about two weeks old.