Pecking new chicks

[CamJa]

Our chickens are pets. Our flock was decimated in December by coyotes with the rooster and one hen surviving. A friend gave us 2 of her chickens (who were not pets),1 of which picks the other's feathers out. I put the one being picked on in with our 6 week old chicks and she immediately started attacking the babies. Should we get rid of the victim chicken to preserve harmony? Our original chickens were never mean to each other.

 

[nuthatched]

How were they introduced? What is their diet. I'd get rid of her if you can't find a solution.

 

[CamJa]

How were they introduced? What is their diet. I'd get rid of her if you can't find a solution.

I had the little ones outside in a pen yesterday and let her in because she was so curious. She immediately started pecking them hard. I'm afraid it's "runt" syndrome....

 

[nuthatched]

I had the little ones outside in a pen yesterday and let her in because she was so curious. She immediately started pecking them hard. I'm afraid it's "runt" syndrome....

It's more likely she's just going what chickens do, you need to have them on either side of a fence for a few weeks so they get used to each other. It's called the "see but no touch method", it's apart of every introduction, along with quarantine.

 

[CamJa]

It's more likely she's just going what chickens do, you need to have them on either side of a fence for a few weeks so they get used to each other. It's called the "see but no touch method", it's apart of every introduction, along with quarantine.

Thank you! I hope she can adapt!!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I agree with @nuthatched chick to flock integration is not an overnight process and requires a period of time for them to get uzed to eachother without being able to harm them. Your chicken who attacked them after you let them in with them was being a perfectly normal chicken and did what any other adult chicken would have done if they were not properly integrated first. As for the feather plucking are you feeding a layer feed? What %is the protein? Feather plucking and eating is often caused by low protein.

 

[CamJa]

I agree with @nuthatched chick to flock integration is not an overnight process and requires a period of time for them to get uzed to eachother without being able to harm them. Your chicken who attacked them after you let them in with them was being a perfectly normal chicken and did what any other adult chicken would have done if they were not properly integrated first. As for the feather plucking are you feeding a layer feed? What %is the protein? Feather plucking and eating is often caused by low protein.

Thank you! We use standard Layer feed with 16% protein. They free range all day long and are supplemented with oyster shell. We add ACV to their water. This habit started before we got these 2. I know previously they free ranged and had a similar diet. They had moved about 2 months before so stress might have been involved. I am treating her with Pick-no-more. I see no feathers in the coop, so I'm hoping that is helping.

 

[bhaugh]

Maybe this is why you got the hen. Plucking feathers can sometimes be a protein issue. I see this in quail. But sometimes for chickens it starts out innocently then becomes a habit which is hard to break

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I would up the protein. If you're giving oyster shell you can just feed all flock or grower which your chicks will need later anyway. But the one you threw in with the chicks is just doing what chickens do and estsblishing a pecking order. They need more time to adjust especially given the size difference

 

[CamJa]

I would up the protein. If you're giving oyster shell you can just feed all flock or grower which your chicks will need later anyway. But the one you threw in with the chicks is just doing what chickens do and estsblishing a pecking order. They need more time to adjust especially given the size difference

Thank you. The younger ones had been in a pen for 3-4 days to this point. This week will allow them to be out everyday for about 10 days. Hopefully the older ones will see them enough to get used to them.