Problem: RIR chicks swarmed/pecked by all others

[IvanK]

Hi all! Ok so I'm not new to raising chicks but I'm new to RIRs and I just hatched out 8 of the little guys and gals. I have a huge two-stage brooder...one part for 1-3 day olds (until they're spry) and another for 4 days and up. I have more RIRs in the incubator and I'm really hoping to have this breed as part of my mixed free-ranging flock (not just for breeding).
The trouble is that all my other chicks (same age give or take a day or two) are drawn to the red points on their beaks and the minute I add RIR chicks into the main brooder, they are swarmed and pecked in the face to no end. This is not a case of one chick bullying others. Its every chick on the RIRs, harassing them constantly. Its obvious its the reddish brown point on their beaks that is attracting the others.
So solutions, experience, advice? Do I need to keep my RIRs separate for good? Or is this something they'll grow out of or perhaps the other chicks just need to peck until they realize their beaks are not food (maybe I'm being over protective and need to give it more time)?
A red light is not an option based on my set up and I won't clip beaks.
Also, if this behavior is occurring in the chicks, is it safe to expect the same from adults? Or will they chill a little once the chicks become pullets/cockerels and can fight back?
Anyone chiming in with experience here would be gratefully appreciated! Thanks

 

[aart]

The 4 days olds are the problem?
How much space in the brooder?
What are the bully breeds?

 

[IvanK]

The 4 days olds are the problem?
How much space in the brooder?
What are the bully breeds?

Yes, the 4 day olds are the problem...they are all the same age however.
The brooder they are in is 6 feet in diameter. Not over crowded. Plenty of food and water.
The breeds in there are SLW, BO, Colombian Rock, Hedemora and Silverrudd Blue (and crosses of some of the aforementioned. The RIRs are the only chicks of their color for what its worth.

 

[aart]

So you added the RIR's and they got attacked?
Might split the brooder for some 'see not touch' time.
What are you using for heat?

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

X2 what aart said. I'd set up a little hardward cloth panel or something to divide the brooder so everyone can "see but not peck" for a bit.

 

[IvanK]

So you added the RIR's and they got attacked?
Might split the brooder for some 'see not touch' time.
What are you using for heat?

Yeah A divider never occurred to me. I think I'll give that a try. Actually a great idea and super obvious/simple. Thanks!
For heat I'm using brooder hen heating plates (the kind they go under when they need to warm up). Brooder is in the house for winter so the ambient temp is a solid 18-21 degrees C. No issues there. Chicks all displaying vitality with regards to exercise, eating and drinking (and perpetually pecking the reddish beaks of the RIRs) .

 

[aart]

(and perpetually pecking the reddish beaks of the RIRs)

That is odd. I can see some curiosity pecking but should not last long.
And newbie aggression is odd in birds that young.

Might be existentially karmic as RIR's are often aggressive.

 

[IvanK]

That is odd. I can see some curiosity pecking but should not last long.
And newbie aggression is odd in birds that young.

Might be existentially karmic as RIR's are often aggressive.

Yeah I'll keep trying...I'll try with a divider...let the mingle without contact. The RIRs are the minority in there so the attention is pretty focused. I have a few more that hatched, so once they're spry enough, adding them might help distribute the abuse to manageable levels per chick. We'll see. In any case, I appreciate your input. Thanks.

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

How are the RIRs respinding to the pecks? I've seen a difference between "curiosity pecks" and "bully pecks" with mine...when it's a bully peck, the other chick usually scream-peeps about it and either scurries away or returns fire. The curiosity pecks are usually ignored by the other chick, or they just walk away. They are gentler, similar to preening or an "is this food" peck at the floor.

 

[IvanK]

How are the RIRs respinding to the pecks? I've seen a difference between "curiosity pecks" and "bully pecks" with mine...when it's a bully peck, the other chick usually scream-peeps about it and either scurries away or returns fire. The curiosity pecks are usually ignored by the other chick, or they just walk away. They are gentler, similar to preening or an "is this food" peck at the floor.

These are food pecks. Like there's something to eat on their beaks. The RIRs respond by chirping loudly and try to run away but they're literally surrounded, overwhelmed and pursued no matter where they go. Picture a RIR chick in the middle of a hexagon of other chicks surrounding it trying to peck its beak...constantly.