The RIR peanuts are pecking at everyone. Advice needed.

[briana1975]

Help these packing peanuts they sent are down right mean. I wouldn't order RIR because of this. I did order 3 silkies 4 buff orp's and 5 barred rock. THe RIR are starting to bully all the other chicks. I was hoping to keep them long enough to put them in the freezer for dinners but they are staring to make me mad. My other brooder has turkeys so I can't really seperate them completely. What do you think I should do?

 

[Wifezilla]

Can you put a divider in the brooder?

 

[briana1975]

I was thinking about that. I would have to get another water first though. I just ran outside and picked some grass and threw it in with them. It seems to be giving them something to do. I will be putting clean paper towels down shortly so it wont be in ther long though. Boy 24 chicks poop a lot!!! My 2 turkeys poop bigger but not so much.

 

[Wifezilla]

LOL...I hear ya. I never though 2 little ducks could poop so much. I can't imagine a whole brooder full of chickens!

 

[sherrydeanne]

You can just use a bowl for water, just put some big stones in the bottom so it doesn't tip and they don't fall in.

 

[LovinMyPeeps]

I just craigs-listed my packing peanuts because the organic farm that was going to take them didn't get back to me. I hear yah, mine push my pullets out of the way and are way aggressive!

 

[Akane]

Reason I only have 1 RIR pullet and otherwise are avoiding the breed. Throw a stick or something in there. It kept a really bored batch of bantam chicks from pecking for 2days until I could put them in a bigger brooder. Colored rocks would probably work too. It helps I don't use paper towels after they require cleaning. I lay paper towels over shavings and as soon as they are too dirty just remove them and have chicks on shavings. I can throw dirt clumps, grass, and various objects in the brooder. Edible flowers will keep them entertained for days until the flower wilts or gets too torn up. I used nasturtiums last fall. It's also really funny to watch.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

Be careful with what you have with silkies. They have a hole in the top of their skull that if pecked it could cause brain damage/injury.

 

[briana1975]

Quote:
Wow I did not know this. The silkies seem to be holding there own the Barred rocks are what I am most worried about. The RIR seem to go after them the most.

 

[briana1975]

I put some pine cones and a couple of red toys that can go in dishwasher later. I hope this keeps them busy.