What is a normal amount of pecking?

[bumblychicken]

My black sex-link pecks at all of my buff orpingtons. Theyre 2 and a half weeks old so I know theyre supposed to be figuring out the pecking order around now, but I looked over and all of the chicks were pecking one and she bled. The next day, I noticed my Black sex-link pecking all the buff orpingtons and they were running in a group away from her and she constantly was pecking each one, one by one it seemed. I've had her separated and I introduce her back and peck at her with my hand if she doesn't stop. It doesn't seem to stick with her long enough for me to feel like its okay to keep her with the flock. I'm just nervous because I don't want to have to separate another one if it starts to bleed. How normal is this? I'm new to chickens and I know they peck but she just seems too dominant. Which I understand Buff's arent compared to her, but it just seems excessive and I'm a bit stressed and want to reintroduce her as soon as possible.

Is the pecking from the one on the top of the pecking order supposed to look like this at first? Was the bleeding just a one time thing? The others arent like this at all. Any help appreciated

 

[alpacasandchicks78]

Did the buff orpingtons peck her until she bled before she went after them?? I feel dumb for asking. Also sometimes if chicks are pecking at each other and one starts to bleed they all want to know what's up sometimes and follow suit. How big is your brooder??

 

[bumblychicken]

Did the buff orpingtons peck her until she bled before she went after them?? I feel dumb for asking. Also sometimes if chicks are pecking at each other and one starts to bleed they all want to know what's up sometimes and follow suit. How big is your brooder??

Don’t feel dumb! So the first day I have no clue what went wrong, I was at my desk and heard loud chirping and looked over and they were all gathered around 1 of the buff orpingtons and I saw the blood and got her out as soon as possible.

I said the next day but I think it was actually later that same day I realized the black sex-link was pecking at all of the others. She’s always been quite dominant but with noticing this I figured she was the one that made one bleed a little and then the rest joined in. Because otherwise they don’t even peck each other it’s just the Black Sex-Link doing it.

And the brooder is 6 ft long x 3 ft wide x 2 ft tall

 

[alpacasandchicks78]

Don’t feel dumb! So the first day I have no clue what went wrong, I was at my desk and heard loud chirping and looked over and they were all gathered around 1 of the buff orpingtons and I saw the blood and got her out as soon as possible.

I said the next day but I think it was actually later that same day I realized the black sex-link was pecking at all of the others. She’s always been quite dominant but with noticing this I figured she was the one that made one bleed a little and then the rest joined in. Because otherwise they don’t even peck each other it’s just the Black Sex-Link doing it.

And the brooder is 6 ft long x 3 ft wide x 2 ft tall

Hmm could be a dominant hen. I don't have my brooder set up like that but it seems to be enough space. Is it possible for you to put something in the brooder that separates her from the rest but they can still see each other through?? I'll see what I can brainstorm in the barn with my mother. She's kept chickens for several years longer than I have and those are my immediate thoughts. I'm sure there'll be others replying soon as well.

 

[bumblychicken]

Hmm could be a dominant hen. I don't have my brooder set up like that but it seems to be enough space. Is it possible for you to put something in the brooder that separates her from the rest but they can still see each other through?? I'll see what I can brainstorm in the barn with my mother. She's kept chickens for several years longer than I have and those are my immediate thoughts. I'm sure there'll be others replying soon as well.

I think so too, she’s always been bigger than the others and Buff’s are known to be really docile. I got them all from the same box when I bought them and my heart could never leave her behind, she was the only one of her kind in there with them.

I feel terrible keeping them both in separate totes at the moment where they can’t see each other it breaks my heart but it’s all I have right now.

I tried putting up a screen wall but my brooder is a mesh pen I got on Amazon and putting up a wall like that doesn’t work really unfortunately.

But I ordered overnight shipping for 2 smaller pens that are mesh too so they will be able to see out of it tomorrow and I’ll try and see if one can fit in the big brooder if possible.

Thank you

 

[alpacasandchicks78]

I think so too, she’s always been bigger than the others and Buff’s are known to be really docile. I got them all from the same box when I bought them and my heart could never leave her behind, she was the only one of her kind in there with them.

I feel terrible keeping them both in separate totes at the moment where they can’t see each other it breaks my heart but it’s all I have right now.

I tried putting up a screen wall but my brooder is a mesh pen I got on Amazon and putting up a wall like that doesn’t work really unfortunately.

But I ordered overnight shipping for 2 smaller pens that are mesh too so they will be able to see out of it tomorrow and I’ll try and see if one can fit in the big brooder if possible.

Thank you

Let me know how it works out.

 

[bumblychicken]

Let me know how it works out.

So far so good! I can rest a bit easier now knowing they can see each other! I have the pecking one inside the brooder and the injured one outside but have their roosting bar next to it and their brooder plate to hop on and look in

 

[Ridgerunner]

Are you sure that is a black sex link since it sounds like it was in there accidentally? It could be a different breed if it was accidental. By this age it should have enough feathers that you can see if they are barred. I'm wondering if it is a male. Not that a female wouldn't do that but a male would be more likely.

I had a 2-week-old chick being raised by a broody hen kill a hatchmate by pecking it in the head. The broody did nothing. As soon as it killed that one it started pecking another chick. I isolated the attacking chick for about 12 hours and turned him loose (Yes, a male). His mother took him back and he was OK after that but I made sure he was the first I butchered from that brood.

In all the years with all of the chicks I've raised in brooders or with broody hens I've only seen that behavior once. I don't think it was because of breed (mine was a mixed breed as most of mine are) but just the personality of the individual. In my case separation worked. I do not think it always will.

I try to solve for the peace of the flock. If separation had not worked I would have removed his head. To me, the others behaving as they should were worth more to me than one unsuitable chick. You can try separation, I hope that works for you. You can raise it separately and try to integrate it later, good luck with that. But I want my chickens to be enjoyable to me, I don't need that aggravation, drama, and extra work.

Good luck!

 

[bumblychicken]

Are you sure that is a black sex link since it sounds like it was in there accidentally? It could be a different breed if it was accidental. By this age it should have enough feathers that you can see if they are barred. I'm wondering if it is a male. Not that a female wouldn't do that but a male would be more likely.

I had a 2-week-old chick being raised by a broody hen kill a hatchmate by pecking it in the head. The broody did nothing. As soon as it killed that one it started pecking another chick. I isolated the attacking chick for about 12 hours and turned him loose (Yes, a male). His mother took him back and he was OK after that but I made sure he was the first I butchered from that brood.

In all the years with all of the chicks I've raised in brooders or with broody hens I've only seen that behavior once. I don't think it was because of breed (mine was a mixed breed as most of mine are) but just the personality of the individual. In my case separation worked. I do not think it always will.

I try to solve for the peace of the flock. If separation had not worked I would have removed his head. To me, the others behaving as they should were worth more to me than one unsuitable chick. You can try separation, I hope that works for you. You can raise it separately and try to integrate it later, good luck with that. But I want my chickens to be enjoyable to me, I don't need that aggravation, drama, and extra work.

Good luck!

This is a picture of the chick in question. On the box at the farm supply store it had 2 tags on it, black sex link and buff orpington so I assumed that’s what was in there. She was the only one though. I know when they’re chicks the males have a yellow spot on their head I think? I never saw that when she was a baby or now. Are you able to tell if it’s a hen or a roo by this?

I’m hoping with the new separation technique of them being able to see each other will help. On one of my replies I added an image of what the set up looks like. I noticed the first time I put her back she wasn’t pecking as much or as hard.

I’ll keep trying my best with her

 

[Ridgerunner]

At 2-1/2 weeks with that comb, thick legs, and upright posture it could be a male. Still too young to be sure though. And, yes, if it is a sex link then it is a female. The spot soon goes away but when they feather out the males have barred feathers. I don't see any barring on that chick.