Random bully question(s)

[NewPoultryMom2019]

Hello! This isn't the most pressing issue, more curious than anything.
So I very recently I got 4 baby chicks from TSC(2 ISA browns and 2 California Whites, all about 2-3 weeks old is what I was told).
On the very first day, my fiance and I observed some definite bully behavior. One of the California Whites was not only pecking the other 3 but she was pecking them in the eyes! She got them a few times so bad that she pulled them to the ground!
We did a quick Google search and we don't believe it was because of lack of food, water, space, ect. They had plenty of all of that. So we did what many suggested and put her in chick time out(we just blocked off part of the brooder and gave her her own food water etc). She was in there all of that night and then around 11-noonish the next day I decided to let her back in with the others. She went straight for the eyes again! So back in time out she went.
Well fast forward to about 7 pm that night and we ended up with two ducks (about 5 days old) that we put in an even larger brooder and put the 3 "good" chicks in with them. Everyone got along. So we decided to give the bully a chance. After sitting and watching her with them for AT LEAST 30 mins, all we seen was her try to peck once at one of the ducks. The duck barely pecked back, and then kind of pushed her - with his/her body - out of the way to continue walking. And that was it. She didn't try again, even with the other chicks.
So was it the brooder change? Did the duck put her in her place? Did time-out work? Should I still be concerned with her?

 

[LRH97]

If she's just pecking at eyes, it could be an interest thing too. Anything shiny or cool looking to a chicken usually ends up getting pecked. I had one chick in a hatch from last year that would latch on to the bottom part of the eye lid of the others. I switched from a white heat bulb to a red and also shredded up little pieces of lettuce to keep them entertained and it fixed the problem.

The change of scenery could have done it for you. She just may have needed a "reset". Hopefully she continues to cut it out.

 

[aart]

You handled that well...kudos....glad it worked out.
Hard to say just what 'fixed' the aggression...but the time out can really help.
The bigger space and more birds could also have had an affect.
I'd keep an eye on her, but chances are she's 'over it'.

Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!

 

[NewPoultryMom2019]

You handled that well...kudos....glad it worked out.
Hard to say just what 'fixed' the aggression...but the time out can really help.
The bigger space and more birds could also have had an affect.
I'd keep an eye on her, but chances are she's 'over it'.

Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!

Thank you! It means a lot to hear someone saying I'm doing the right things. I feel so lost but so excited at being a poultry mom!
We woke up this morning and they were all snuggled together and then went about their day . No pecking from what either of us have seen. I'm at SAHM so I have been able to watch her closely. I think she may have gotten over it so that makes me happy!

 

[aart]

Thank you! It means a lot to hear someone saying I'm doing the right things. I feel so lost but so excited at being a poultry mom!
We woke up this morning and they were all snuggled together and then went about their day . No pecking from what either of us have seen. I'm at SAHM so I have been able to watch her closely. I think she may have gotten over it so that makes me happy!

Being a chicken keeper is more about observation and adjustment, with a good dose of common sense, than most anything else. Having time to observe really helps!

 

[NewPoultryMom2019]

Well that's good! I'm home all day, and watching them is so intriguing! Lol