Pecking order

[Elund14]

I am new to chickens! I have my first flock of 4. 2 California White and 2 Black Sex Link. They are about 5 weeks old. They are currently indoors in an extra large dog kennel as it is too cold for them to be outdoors just yet. They have adequate room, things to peck on, toys to play with, and plenty of food and water at all times. My two California Whites constantly peck at the slightly (I mean there’s just a tiny bit of size difference, you can barely tell) smaller Black Sex Link until she bleeds. (Yes...pecking order has to be established, but does it always result in bleeding and no feathers?) I currently have them separated, but when placed outdoors today for a few hours....the pecking continued and got worse. Is there any way to stop this behavior? Is it normal?

 

[chicksandchores]

Apply blue-kote to the wounded area of the bsl and set her down with the other chicks while it's still wet. When the other chicks peck at that area, they'll get a mouth-full of blue-kote which should definitely deter them from further pecking.

 

[Katlinalyssa]

I’m having the same problem. My poor white silkie is getting her feathers plucked by a barred rock/ameraucana cross. They are separated when in the brooder but with a chicken wire window so they are technically still together. When I let them out to roam during the day as soon as the cross is bored she starts pecking the silkie. As strange as it sounds, if I catch her before she does it and tell her no, she doesn’t do it and just looks for something else to peck at. I’m at a loss. I’ve changed her feed to a higher protein, offered it as a mash, added live meal worms and crickets for her to forage. She just isn’t getting it. She’s been in her own area for almost a week. But only when cooped up. I’ve extended the brooder area to accommodate their size and let them outside when it’s not raining. I even let them roam free in the empty garage when it is raining. Blu kote and peck no more don’t deter the pecking. I don’t want to get rid of her. She’s so sweet otherwise. I know shes probably just stressed and I’m doing everything I can to fix that aside from putting them all out now. The silkie is missing so many feathers it wouldn’t be reasonable to put her out now. I’m at a loss.

 

[aart]

Is there any way to stop this behavior? Is it normal?

They probably need more space.
Blukote is not the answer...and may not help at all.
How cold is it?
At 5 weeks they should be off heat and almost fully feathered.
Is your coop ready to go?

Oh, and... Welcome to BYC! @Elund14
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[chicksandchores]

They probably need more space.
Blukote is not the answer...and may not help at all.
How cold is it?
At 5 weeks they should be off heat and almost fully feathered.
Is your coop ready to go?

Oh, and... Welcome to BYC! @Elund14
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

View attachment 1738931

The bluekote suggestion was mainly for the fact that op said the chick has been pecked to the point of bleeding. That was the suggestion another user gave me when one of my chicks had gotten its tailfeathers pecked and broken to the point of bleeding, and I didn’t have a recurrence, so I figured it might have done something to help. I agree that they likely do need more space but wasn’t sure if that would stop the bully chick as some seem to intentionally seek out others to bully