Vicious Chick- debeak or cull?

[TommyP]

I received chicks via mail last week. I found three, all of the same breed (salmon favorelle), dead upon arrival. The others were healthy, but one of the welsummers viciously attacks the other chicks, but especially the favorelles, and especially their eyes. I have bird separated, and I've tried waiting a day or three twice now before reintroducing- same result. Will it outgrow this? Debeeking? I know its cruel, but compared to culling or a life of isolation? I've been keeping chickens for over a decade, have had picking before, but not like this. Any ideas?

 

[ShawnaScott]

I'm sure you've already tried this, since you've had chickens so long, but why not hand gentle it? It may never be the nicest chicken, but surely it would help. And if it doesn't, wait til it gets bigger and eat it.

 

[donrae]

Hmm. I guess if I had this same thing I'd try isolating the chick for a week or so and then see how things go. Make sure the birds had plenty of space, etc. If the chick were persistently mean, I guess I would cull it. I just don't like the debeaking, and my life's too busy to deal with special needs or high maintenance birds.

Or, if you have older birds, you might try letting her get her little butt kicked (supervised) by the older hens, see if that gives her an attitude adjustment.