Vent Pecking - Advice Needed

[BonnieBlue]

I have 6 chicks, who are 5 days old. Three New Hampshires, 2 Olive Eggers, 1 Welbar.

This morning, I noticed one of the NH's peck at what I *think* is the Welbar. (The Welbar and OE's looks alike.) I also saw what appeared to be a tiny drop of clear liquid from her vent. I watched them for a while, and I noticed the 1 chick got a poopy butt while I was watching. I cleaned her off, and noticed that some of the down around her vent appears to be missing, and she had a tiny scab about 1/4" below her vent. I put her back in, and one of the OE's pecked at her vent.

I have removed that chick from the others and put her in a quickly rigged plactic bin with food and water, and paper towels layered as bedding. I treated her vent area and the scab with Vetericyn, and noticed her vent seems a bit swollen. I am going to assume that is from being pecked on, but not sure. I did not notice any fresh blood or other scabs or scars.

So. How do I proceed? How long do I leave her isolated, and can she be put back with her 5 sisters?

The baby brooder is just overr 24" diameter, so approx 3.15 sq feet. Last go round I successfully brooded 10 chicks in it for 2 weeks with no crowding problems. They have fresh food, water, and I keep the paper towels over sand changed about 4 times a day to keep it clean.

I feel so bad because she is unhappy, but I don't want the others killing her by pecking at her vent, and also developing a bad habit towards each other.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like you are seeing where the umbilical was attached. Chicks do peck at each other. I add shiny glass rocks to the brooder so they have something to peck at. I put them where the food is and the water. Some chicks are more vigorous than others and try to eat toes and eyeballs from their clutch mates.

 

[BonnieBlue]

How long should I leave this one isolated? I haven't picked her up to examine her, but from just observing, I think the swelling has gone down.

I have noticed a lot of the usual of light pecks at faces and feet by everyone, but none of the really going after a vent like they were to this one.

Thank you for the reply. I will dig through boxes to see if I have any glass rocks in the stuff that I have to make stepping stone for my dog.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would put her back. If necessary you can make a small circle of wire to put around her or the one pecking to give them a break without isolation one. You may need to make the brooder bigger if it continues. Also make sure it isn't too warm.

 

[BonnieBlue]

I would put her back. If necessary you can make a small circle of wire to put around her or the one pecking to give them a break without isolation one. You may need to make the brooder bigger if it continues. Also make sure it isn't too warm.

Thank you. I am already looking for an alternative brooder.

The brooder has been on the cool side for theor age, already down to ~89° temperature wise, and their behavior otherwise shows comfortable. I thought boredom, or maybe something g set them off about her. I'll put her back and monitor closely.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They do start getting more active after that first week or two. If they are running and flapping about they generally do better with more room. Each batch is different. Sometimes you just get some trouble makers, and have to adapt your usual process of brooding.

 

[BonnieBlue]

They do start getting more active after that first week or two. If they are running and flapping about they generally do better with more room. Each batch is different. Sometimes you just get some trouble makers, and have to adapt your usual process of brooding.

I am looking for something to go ahead and give them more room. The coop I have as a brooder coop after their first two or three weeks is too far away from the house, and I'm not sure I could keep it warm enough. Hoping to find an extra large box that gives more room.

I put her back in, and tho there was a bit of pecking, none of it was at her vent, and no specific targeting. I only sat and observed for 10 minutes because they all flopped over to sleep.

I did put the tiny roost in there for them to play with, and there was some pecking at it, and interest in trying to try it out. One girl managed to successfully fly onto it, tho the dismount was less than a 10. Hopefully that will give them some play distraction.

If I can't find a box, I will go up to the feed store and look for a water tank that will meet my needs. That is what my late father used as a baby brooder.