Updated!!I need MORE help!!! Chick with bloody tail feathers..Help!

[Bantam Username]

When or if you try to put her back in again, put her in at the same time as you add something new for them. They will be interested in the new toy/ new food that you have given and hopefully ignore her.
Good luck.

 

[Frybaby]

stcroixusvi is so right....... Chickens are like kids, they get bored. They need plenty of room and things to do. Mine free range so they have lots to do. I also give them treats but "only" corn on the cob in the cooler months. Its a full time job keeping my girls happy and I love every minute of it.

 

[teach1rusl]

At 5 weeks, they are old enough to go out to their coop/run. Is there a particular reason why they're still in the brooder? It sounds to me like the new space and new scenery would help distract them from the picked on chick. Also, I know they're young, but when you mention that they're "grabbing others by the back of the neck", that makes me think you have some little cockerels going nuts there...

 

[stcroixusvi]

Quote:
Ha! Bet the coop isn't finished yet

- mine were in the brooder until 6+ weeks

 

[Hopefulloflove]

Yup, the coop and run are not finished yet. We are working diligently, and hope to have it done next weekend, but with my husband working out of town, it makes weekends the only time we can work....There is no real safe place to let them run around outside..we have a cat that hangs around a lot (not ours) and a stray dog was in my yard about 2 hours ago...even though we live way out in the country, and I just don't want to take a chance of anything happening to them...I know that sounds cruel, but I would rather be safe than sorry...

 

[teach1rusl]

No - doesn't sound cruel at all - sounds like you're being protective of them. I was just thinking that by 5 weeks of age, their brooder is probably pretty cramped quarters, which may be causing the picking/pecking issues. Maybe you could stop by your local home improvement store to see if they have a stove or fridge box that could temporarily hold the chicks until the coop/run are finished??? At this age, they won't need a lamp, so just the bigger space (plus branches, etc. stuck inside) may help a lot.

 

[Hopefulloflove]

That sounds like a good idea..I am trying to keep them lots of things to do and my kid take a few out at a time and play with them on the dining room floor. Giving them treats and holding them etc. (except yesterday they had one of the silkies riding on thier train set...It was quite funny....but other than that they are stuck in the brooder, which is a good size. It's a childs molded swimming pool with fencing around it. Hmm..hope we get that coop done soon, however since we are only an hour from the coast of NC I wouldn't put them out this weekend anyhow....Thanks for all of the advice..I will just do my best to keep them entertained!

With 6 kids, it shouldn't be too hard!

 

[Mismack]

Boy, I am so glad I saw this this morning. Same thing going one with one of my girls, they are 4 weeks old. And I discovered last night little Sunny had a bloody backside, not like dripping blood but bloody none the same. Upon investigation it looks to be coming from her tail feathers, not sure if this was caused by them or her pecking at them or just a play related accidental injury. Anyways, so glad you all are here. I haven't had chickens since I was a kid and decided now that my daughter is old enough to help we would give it a go. Thanks again for the info!! Hope everything goes well with your little one!