Pecking :(

[SunnyDayz]

I have 6 babies, about 5 weeks old. They are in a big plastic tub in our bathroom with pine shavings, a roost, water food etc. Well I gave them yogurt today (wow what a show!) and it was flying everywhere! One of the babies got it all over her neck/breast. I wiped it off, but obviously didn't get it all of because after I left, the others pecked the heck out of her neck

I am assuming it's because of the yogurt all over her. There wasn't a pecking problem before this. I had them outside in their 'play pen' for several hours today and they all behaved very well. As soon as I put them in the bin for the night they started pecking her again. (I washed her off with warm water and applied Burts Bee's ointment to the affected area).

So now she is in a box I set up next to the big bin. I put in another chick (the runt) and they are getting along fine. I feel so badly though... what can I do to help her heal quickly? When can I put those 2 back with the others? How long will it take to grow those feathers back??
Thank you for any help

 

[fancbrd4me02]

You will have to keep her seperate until the sore is gone/no scabs. The other chicks will peck at the wound or any red they see. I use bluecote for minor skin wounds on my chickens. Feed stores carry it, and one can/jar lasts forever.

 

[Campine Lover]

Sorry that happened.... try putting Neosporin on it, and keep it clean. It may take awhile to get all the feathering back (depends on how much was taken off) but try to indroduce her back in when there is at LEAST small feathers all over the baldness. When you put her and the runt back in, give the others some food (bread, fruit, try to avoid yogurt for awhile, lol) so they will be distracted, then watch them for awhile. Good Luck!

 

[easttxchick]

Don't feel bad-sometimes they can be rough on each other. Do you think they have enough room in their brooder? Are you using a red heat lamp or white? Red is better to keep them from picking each other.
Just put some antibiotic cream(without pain reliever) on her pecked spots. Her feathers will grow back kinda slow, but you can put something like Black Grease, Pine Tar(haven't tried that-others use it), Vicks, Hot Peck or some other product to stop the picking and try putting her back in-if they still pick on her, take her back out.

 

[SunnyDayz]

Thanks for the advice! I wonder how long it'll take to grow back. I know she misses the others! I'll keep you all posted

 

[underground chickenman]

At 5 weeks, they could be getting a little cramped in what I think of as a large plastic tub. If you are talking about your basic Rubbermaid bin, I have never seen one that would hold six chicks much beyond a few weeks. I would start considering bigger quarters or you are going to have more picking problems.

UGCM

 

[SunnyDayz]

It is a plastic bin~not rubbermaid, but similar... one of those big ones you use in a garage or shed. We started on their coop today. I am ready to move them out of our bathroom as it is...

We are working as quickly as we can on it!