picking

[Pjahop]

I have about 50, one week old chicks of mixed heavy breeds. Our weather has been SO variable that I am having problems keeping the brooder temperature uniform. Today I noticed that two chicks are bloody on the rear. I am ASSUMING this is from picking. I have taken the two bloody ones out to raise separately, as advised in my chicks book but am concerned about how to stop the behavior so none of the others are injured. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!

 

[mmaddie's mom]

hmmm? someone on here will have a suggestion or two...

 

[N&MSchroeder]

Make sure that they have plenty of room to spread out. Also, they need to be able to choose which temperature is right for them. If they are huddled under the light, they are cold. If they are pushing against the outside walls, they are too warm. They should be milling happily around the brooder. I try to give my chicks some kind of diversion. I added construction sand to one area of the brooder so they could dust bathe. (Chicks gone wild!) I would sometimes throw a small pile of bean sprouts in their brooder or a clump of grass.

Other suggestions?????

 

[Pjahop]

They have LOADS of room but I am still having trouble keeping the temp right. Hot in the brooder which is in the garage with the garage door closed but too cool if door is open. LOVED the sand idea, THANK YOU!! The chicks are loving their new sand bath tub! The bloodied ones are doing well in the doggie kennel inside the other brooder. When can I put them back with the rest of the chicks? They are all scabbed over...will the others pick at the scab?

 

[N&MSchroeder]

You could try putting them back in. I had a Naked Neck with a gash on its neck. I put neosporin on it and worried the whole time that the others would pick on her. They didn't seem to like the taste of the neosporin and would wipe their face off on the floor if they pecked. Her gash healed beautifully without a problem. There are also other products available like blue kote that will help prevent picking. Do you have a red light bulb? This can also hide the scabs better. Watch and see what happens when you put the others back in. Good luck!