Welsummer chick picking ( pecking ) on other chicks

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greylock

greylock

Chirping
12 Years
Aug 16, 2011
44
52
92
Summerfield, Florida
I bought a few new chicks to replace some older hens. I bought 2 Reds, 5 Americanas, 1 black Austerlope and the chick from hell, a Wellsummer. from day one she has picked on all the others. They are now about 3 weeks old and she drew blood on one Americana and is pulling feathers on others. I had to remove her from the group. Is this normal behavior for Welsummers or will she grow out of it? I can't keep her if she is out to kill the others.
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Sometimes you just have an individual chick who is a nuisance, I haven't found Wels to be bullys. Have you tried lowering the heat a little bit and giving them more room and things to do?
 
Interesting. I have raised a group of chicks each spring and never had a problem. This year however, I ordered a bunch of welsummer chicks. They are only a week old and are pecking at each other's feathers and have even pulled tail feathers completely out of one bird. Maybe this is a common thing with the breed? Would love to know and love to hear some solutions!
 
frow.gif
Hi and welcome to Backyard chickens. Since the chick from h-ll is causing such a problem, I would just re-home her., before the others start imitating her bad behavior.
 
Thank you for your suggestions. The chicks are all about three weeks old so I have lowered the heat. They are in a 3 by 3 puppy Play pen inside my heated and air conditioned garage right now. They are still a little to young to put outside yet, It still is a little cool at night. Hope to put them out next week.
Thanks for your help. At least I know that if this one does not work out I can try with another next spring.
 
This is exactly what mine is doing. I have her alone in a dog crate at the time. I was hoping she would shape up. She has been doing this since I brought her home at 2 days old and now she in injuring the others. Wonder. Let me know how yours work out please. It is interesting that you are having the same problem this year.
 
Thank you. That is what I will have to do if she does the same later in the week when I reunite her with the rest. The rest are much calmer now. I am really dissappointed as I want to try a Welsummer.
 
Thank you for your welcome. I joined a few years ago but have not posted much. Just have not had this problem before. Everyone has gotten along fine every spring as I add a few to my flock.
 

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