Pecking Help?

[mayabear13]

I have 26 4-week old chicks of a variety of breeds. Last night I noticed that one of the smaller ones was missing almost all the feathers on her neck. We had only been using half our brooder box, so we expanded the space. They now have about 24sq feet to run around in. One of the lights has a red bulb and the other a normal one. The woodchips are fresh, there's plenty of food and water and we have a perch and a few toys in there. What else can I do to help the little gal? Would you separate her out?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Kittymomma]

Put some blu-kote on her and if that doesn't help you'll have to seperate her. If you have to seperate try putting one or two of the mellower chicks with her, they're happy with a buddy, but only if the buddy isn't pecking them to death. At four weeks old I wouldn't think you would need two lights, is it really cold where you are? Are the chicks hanging out under the lights or are they more spread out?

 

[daisyjack]

I had the same problem, I put baby Vicks vapor rub on the chick where she was getting pecked, all picking has stopped. I also added a bright red stuff animal.

 

[HickoryGuy]

The little guys can be brutal sometimes. I feel your pain. Sometimes you can be doing everything right and still some of them are mean lil' peckers! I 2nd the Blue-kote suggestion--working well for me.

 

[BriteChicken]

What if the was only iodine at the feed store I've used it on my dog before but would you use it on a chick?

 

[Kittymomma]

Maybe dilluted, but they should have blu-kote or something similiar--look by the horse stuff. The great thing about the blu-kote is, well, that it's blue and the rest of the flock aren't as inclined to peck at owies that aren't red.

 

[BriteChicken]

Okay Gotcha the thing is I looked for blue coat before when I had to coat my dogs cut but all they had was red coat or the iodine so I went ahead and did the iodine and it worked great but I'll have to look for blue coat at TSC don't want anybody getting pecked because they have a brown boo boo Lol!

 

[mayabear13]

Thank you so much guys. I'll have my husband pick some blu-kote up on the way home.