Here is the story, we got our first batch of 8 chicks from Meyer Hatchery on Monday and our second batch of 24 (what was supposed to be 16, but they threw in some extras) from Chicken Scratch Poultry on Wednesday. They were all alive & healthy & once we got them into their brooder with food & water, they all seemed happy. On Thursday we noticed a problem...all the different breeds we got are darker in colors except the 5 Light Sussex, they are pure bright yellow...we noticed that all the other chicks are picking on them, literally! They were pecking at their eyes (pulling the lids out!) and ganging up on them...on just the yellows! So, we separated them and put the Sussex's in a clear tote where they can still see all the others but are not getting bullied. None of the others are behaving this way to any of the others but the yellows keep trying to fly at the wall of the tote & watch the others all the time like they want to be in there with them. My step mom says to clip all their beaks with fingernail clippers but I just can't bare to do that to them. Does anyone have any other suggestions or know when it will be a good time to try to re-introduce them to the rest of the flock?
We talked to a farmer that said it was normal for a larger number of chicks who are similar in appearance to pick on the minority color...are chicks seriously racist, or could it be something else?
Here is a pic of them all together on their first day...
As you can see, there are many other breeds/colors...so why are they ALL only picking on the yellows?!
We talked to a farmer that said it was normal for a larger number of chicks who are similar in appearance to pick on the minority color...are chicks seriously racist, or could it be something else?
Here is a pic of them all together on their first day...
As you can see, there are many other breeds/colors...so why are they ALL only picking on the yellows?!
Last edited: