pecking order?????

[tongacat]

I used to have three chicks, but one of them (the black one which i named La-Dasha) would always pick on my roo and my blondie until they bled. since that one died, i thought that i wouldn't have this prob. anymore.... until i got two more chicks for the others for company. I have no idea what type those two are. they have big, muscular legs and feet, skinny body, big beak, and long tail feathers. (if you can help me identify them thanks!

) one is brown, which i named Samoa and another one is white, which i named vanilla.
Samoa is always pecking on my roo's and blondie's feet. and Vanilla is always pulling on Samoa's feathers and then she eats them... is she CANNIBAL????. they have a nice big coop, with dirt, grass, watermelon skins, food on the ground for them to peck at. i don't want the La-Dasha story to happen again because i freckin'

my roo and my little blondie! what can i do to stop this? please help me! all tips and help are welcome!!!!!!

Today i fond out that Vanilla has done some pecking and eating feathers over night because i saw that Samoa had a big bald spot in between her wings.

 

[homesteadmomma]

I have seen others suggest to remove the offender. Do you have a dog crate or cage that the picker could stay in for "time out"? I have had a few chicks that were just plain vicious, but they did grow out of it. How old are these chicks?

 

[tongacat]

Quote:
they are at the age where they are just beginning to molt.

 

[nuchickontheblock]

Just curious. . . with big muscular legs and feet and long tail feathers . . . are they roos?

 

[sourland]

Are you feeding them a balanced poultry diet in addition to the foods that you mention? Sounds like their dietary needs for protein are not being met.

 

[triplepurpose]

Quote:
I would ask the same question. This doesn't sound like normal behavior, and if they have plenty of space and fresh air and grass etc. as you say, then I agree, that leaves dietary deficiency as the primary suspect...

 

[tongacat]

well right now i feed them oatmeal. there are watermelon skins but they don't seem to like them too much. i sometimes put grass clipping in there for them. and occasionally i will find worms for them to eat.
please tell me what i should do to make it better. that'll be great thanks

 

[tongacat]

Quote:
i sure hope not

 

[Rainbow Dash]

Try giving them oyster shells for calcium, to rule out calcium deficiency. Giving them a feed with about 16% protein ought to do the trick.

 

[MyChickenWishList]

I have a mean hen in my bunch too. I have 3 sets of different age chickens and one from the oldest set seems to chase everybody and anybody around. She is really annoying at times.

Today it is raining and the other 8 chickens are trying to share the coop (7'x8') so its big enough and she just starts pecking away at the younger chicks...its sad cause she is my favorite but if she keeps it up by the end of summer shes goin in the stew pot.
I may try the separating her in a crate thing for a few days and see if that helps.