Picking or Pecking?

[Kjm279]

Hello fellow chicken lovers! My sweet little Wyandotte is being pecked, or maybe picked on. I have 6 chicks between 6-8 weeks old. My oldest chick has had two different wounds on her comb. One is scabbed and now she has a brand new one. I’m not sure if she’s getting poked by chicken wire (doesn’t stick in her coop or run, but there is some pointiness to the outside, doesn’t stick out at all, lays flat against the wood) or if she’s being pecked by another chick.

If it’s another chick, is this normal pecking order stuff and will resolve or is she possibly being picked on?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally any pecking between young birds is from crowding or boredom. What size area are they in? How many are there?

 

[Kjm279]

There are 6. 4x4 coop at bed, 4x16 run that they’re in on and off throughout the day. Mostly they are free range in our backyard.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds decent enough especially for their size. If you aren't seeing pecking than it could just be an injury. I would keep an eye out and see if you are seeing any bullying behaviors.

 

[Kjm279]

So far all I’ve been seeing is them charging up to each other and standing tall. And then, of course, they all go snuggle together.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

So far all I’ve been seeing is them charging up to each other and standing tall. And then, of course, they all go snuggle together.

That's normal. She could be sticking her head somewhere she shouldn't be to cause a few injuries.