I had my first peachick hatch about 1 week ago, from a single adult pair I purchased last year. The other 2 eggs of the same age did not hatch. I attempted to place first a turkey and then a chukar of a similar age into the brooder as a friend, but had to remove them shortly after as he picked their eyes red and raw.
I had another peachick hatch yesterday, once again the other 2 eggs did not hatch. I let the chick dry for most of the day, then placed him in the brooder with the older peachick. The older peachick immediately began to pick the younger's eyes, so I removed the picking chick to a brooder with 33 chukar in it. He didn't seem to be attacking any of them, so he remained in there overnight, until I saw that he was definitely picking them this morning.
I fashioned a divider in my plastic bin brooder, using old towels hung long-ways from a metal support which goes across the top of the brooder. I placed their feed/water bowls on the edges, thinking that it seemed secure. I just came back after being gone for the day and the younger peachick's eyes are severely picked at, very red and swollen, and he still has vision but doesn't seem to be tracking properly. I more or less tossed the picking peachick back into the chukar brooder, since he wasn't causing near so much havoc in there.
Is there a way to curb this behavior? I can't imagine they make peepers for such a small bird, which was my first thought. Is there another way to prevent it? Is this behavior likely to continue into adulthood? If it does, I think I'm actually more looking for a peafowl recipe, since aggressive birds are NOT welcome in my flock.
I had another peachick hatch yesterday, once again the other 2 eggs did not hatch. I let the chick dry for most of the day, then placed him in the brooder with the older peachick. The older peachick immediately began to pick the younger's eyes, so I removed the picking chick to a brooder with 33 chukar in it. He didn't seem to be attacking any of them, so he remained in there overnight, until I saw that he was definitely picking them this morning.
I fashioned a divider in my plastic bin brooder, using old towels hung long-ways from a metal support which goes across the top of the brooder. I placed their feed/water bowls on the edges, thinking that it seemed secure. I just came back after being gone for the day and the younger peachick's eyes are severely picked at, very red and swollen, and he still has vision but doesn't seem to be tracking properly. I more or less tossed the picking peachick back into the chukar brooder, since he wasn't causing near so much havoc in there.
Is there a way to curb this behavior? I can't imagine they make peepers for such a small bird, which was my first thought. Is there another way to prevent it? Is this behavior likely to continue into adulthood? If it does, I think I'm actually more looking for a peafowl recipe, since aggressive birds are NOT welcome in my flock.
Last edited:
