Peachicks attacking each other???

[PavoFowl]

I have six peachicks that are two days old, and they're all pecking at each others eyelids, wings, and feet. They are extremely docile and friendly to me, but they are all attacking each other, not just ganging up on one. What do I do? I have six in a 36" x 22" Rubbermaid tub brooder. Are there too many together? They don't look cramped. Also, I'm not sure how much of their starter they are eating. I showed them to eat yesterday morning, but they haven't seemed to touch it since. I am going to try scrambled eggs now.

 

[PavoFowl]

Do they look too cramped?

 

[PavoFowl]

Well, now it won't let me upload a photo. Argh.

 

[zazouse]

I have found that a red light helps, they are just learning what is good to eat, have you seen them eating their food?

PS IMO your brooder is to small for anything past a week old they need room to run and play and get away from each other if they need to escape a pecking pea

 

[PavoFowl]

I am using a red brooder bulb, 250 watt. No, I have seen them kind of peck at it a bit, but not really eat it like I would expect. I was afraid these would be too small... I have no idea what else to use, though. I have no way to keep them off from the dirt. I'm really afraid of cocci.

 

[zazouse]

PS you can wet their starter down and they will like it much better.

what i do is fill a water container and put the feed in the bottom it keeps the feed from caking and you can add feed during the day as need then i pull it at night and make a new containerin the morning, i will find a photo to show you.

 

[zazouse]

When i set these down in the morning there is a feeding frenzy and it is also a good way to worm or give meds if needed

 

[casportpony]

I'd do like Zaz suggested and offer them moistened crumbles, then get your finger covered in the crumbles and let them pick it off your fingers. Warning, wet crumbles go rancid very quickly, so make fresh daily and keep their bedding dry.

-Kathy

 

[zazouse]

I am using a red brooder bulb, 250 watt. No, I have seen them kind of peck at it a bit, but not really eat it like I would expect. I was afraid these would be too small... I have no idea what else to use, though. I have no way to keep them off from the dirt. I'm really afraid of cocci.

You need to be very careful with such a high temp light in a plastic container, plastic can release gasses that are harmful when it gets to hot.
I use a red lamp in a 4 by 4 brooder that is mounted 2 foot from the bottom and the temp got up to 105 in the area of the light , so do be careful,

 

[PavoFowl]

Okay, thank y'all! I am feeling terrible, because they were given to me as a graduation gift, with everything I would need to raise them. I have raised guineas in the past, and my grandparents just kinda assumed they were easy like the guineas. With guineas we basically just brood them in the tubs for a couple weeks, put them in a pen for a few more, and let them go and feed them every nighy. Peas are definitely much more demanding than that. They don't understand, and I now I have these chicks that I'm not nearly prepared for. I just want them to be happy and prosperous, not pick each other to death. I'll offer the moistened crumbles now and see how they like them. Zazouse, what is the bedding where you raise your chicks? I am curious if it would be better to put them in a pen with shelter and heat lamps on the preventative dosing of Corid than to try and keep them in these tubs. Great for guineas, not so much for these big chicks.