Two chicks, one cage, pecking problem

[nvernon]

Hello,

We moved to the city (Honolulu) and brought home a black star and a red star, both females, that appear to be about 6 weeks old. I have kept many chicken over the years, but never only two. The red chick started pecking the black chick a few hour after placing them together in 1.5 by 3.5 ft cage. I put in some pulled grass and veggie scraps, and take them out the run in the yard, but the red chick wont stop and the black chick doesn't even try to move out of the way. I first separated them all day to get the wound healed up, which the black chick didn't like, and then put them together after dark, but I missed sun up and by 7am the red chick done a lot of damage.
Anyone have advice for helping the two chicks co-habitate? Anti-peck spay, talc powder.... what actually works? Is this what happens when you don't have a real flock?


Thanks!

 

[RonC]

You have no where near enough room for them to be in constantly. That is close to a bare minimum for them to sleep in. They need an area about 10 sq ft per bird in the daytime. That is probably the problem.

 

[nvernon]

Thanks, the new housing is under construction, so that should help.