Picked on chick

[Ercvt76]

I have 15 chicks all the same age and they have been doing wonderfully until last night. I went out this am and someone has started picking out one of my polish’s head feathers. I’ve stood out there and watched and can’t find the culprit!! I’m hanging a head of cabbage to see if boredom is coming into play. It’s been quite rainy here. Any suggestions would be great. I am new to all of this. Tia

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You only have one polish with non-crested birds? That unfortunately often goes bad as that crest attracts unwanted attention. They can scalp her if they keep at it. Generally polish are best kept with other polish, or at least with multiple polish in a flock. I personally would separate her out now.

 

[Ercvt76]

You only have one polish with non-crested birds? That unfortunately often goes bad as that crest attracts unwanted attention. They can scalp her if they keep at it. Generally polish are best kept with other polish, or at least with multiple polish in a flock. I personally would separate her out now.

I have 3 polish out of the 15. They aren’t bothering the other 2 at all. By separate her out do you mean rehome her or separate for a few days and then reintegrate?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have 3 polish out of the 15. They aren’t bothering the other 2 at all. By separate her out do you mean rehome her or separate for a few days and then reintegrate?

Well you could remove all the polish and keep them separately. You could spray the crest with bluekote, put her down while it's wet so any curious pecking gets a mouth full of luck, or you could try tying up the crest.

If you separate never remove the bird from the sight of the others.

Is this a white crested or a laced variety?

How big is your set up? You will need plenty of room to not have problems with your polish getting picked on.

 

[Ercvt76]

Well you could remove all the polish and keep them separately. You could spray the crest with bluekote, put her down while it's wet so any curious pecking gets a mouth full of luck, or you could try tying up the crest.

If you separate never remove the bird from the sight of the others.

Is this a white crested or a laced variety?

How big is your set up? You will need plenty of room to not have problems with your polish getting picked on.

White crest. She’s all white. It’s been very rainy in Illinois and they’ve been hanging out in the coop. My coop is 8x12. I hung some toys today to see if this will help deter them.

I will look for bluekeote tomorrow since I’m working right now