Bully Chick

[SUZIE2811]

New to chick raising! I just got in new baby chicks (not even a week old) and I have one that is obsessed with pecking the other seven chick's eyes continuously. I don't know how to separate her from the other's. She is getting them and just grabbing any area around the other chicks eyes she can get a hold of and just shakes the poor chick. I have two chicks that now wont even open eyes because of this. I have tried to separate the bully chick away from the rest and she just cries and cries but I also can not have her tormenting the others or injuring them. She is attacking them while they are awake and asleep. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Cowdoggin]

If you can..get a smaller 'cage' inside the brooder pen..or make a little pen area, that way she is separated, but not really separated.. or try putting some Desitin (the diaper rash stuff) around the eyes of the other chicks, just be careful Not to get in their eyes.. the Desitin is white in color and will "hopefully discourage her from pecking the others.. I keep Desitin on hand anyway in case of injures to keep other chicks/chickens from pecking at the sores.. especially if they are bloody.. There used to be a product out a long time ago, called 'Stop Peck" but I cant find the stuff here in "Farm Country" Idaho..So I Desitin..and it works..

 

[Cowdoggin]

Cowdog is being a pest, so Forgot to add.. Chicks dont like to be alone at all so never get just 1 chick/duckling always buy at least 3, and they can get very stressed when they are. they can die from the stress of being alone. If you had slightly older chicks I would suggest putting her in with them, just make sure she does not get beat up.. (actually sometimes that "teaches" the bully chicks a leason LOL) then slowly get her back w/the others.

Anyway, She is probably obsessed with the eye lashes..that happens.. with some chicks its the toes.. So again, if can make a pen inside the pen, that will help, or you could try the desitin..

 

[SUZIE2811]

Thank you so much for the advise.

 

[TeenieE]

I am having the same problem. I have never had chickens, so I first thought that maybe I was being too sensitive but I don't think so now. We bought four Araucana (per Rural King) chicks on Friday an one of them was immediately aggressive, pecking the others eyes. I didn't notice that it was hurting at first, but it was soon apparent when three of the four were walking around with at least one eye stuck shut. We decided that there was likely a small age gap and separated them into two groups of two (the bully gets along with her second in command, although she did peck her once). They are in clear Rubbermaid containers side by side so they can see each other. That was on Friday. We have been playing with them seperately and all together and the one is always pecking at the others eyes. We bought a red light and tried to house them together again and its the same thing. We were able to introduce the second in command back into the smaller chick group and have separated the bully within their bin. The little bully is peeping super loud and I feel terrible, like I'm making her cry it out but if I put her with them I'm afraid I'll wake up to my sweet littles with no eyes! Any suggestions on when to reintroduce, is this the correct course of action?

We put a stuffed animal in there as a "hen," have a shiny cup to try and occupy them as well as a toilet paper roll. There are two water and food sources and I am going to get a bigger bin tomorrow. I am already very attached and have been scrolling through threads but am nervous that my little flock is going to be tumultuous forever!

 

[red horse ranch]

I am having the same problem. I have never had chickens, so I first thought that maybe I was being too sensitive but I don't think so now. We bought four Araucana (per Rural King) chicks on Friday an one of them was immediately aggressive, pecking the others eyes. I didn't notice that it was hurting at first, but it was soon apparent when three of the four were walking around with at least one eye stuck shut. We decided that there was likely a small age gap and separated them into two groups of two (the bully gets along with her second in command, although she did peck her once). They are in clear Rubbermaid containers side by side so they can see each other. That was on Friday. We have been playing with them seperately and all together and the one is always pecking at the others eyes. We bought a red light and tried to house them together again and its the same thing. We were able to introduce the second in command back into the smaller chick group and have separated the bully within their bin. The little bully is peeping super loud and I feel terrible, like I'm making her cry it out but if I put her with them I'm afraid I'll wake up to my sweet littles with no eyes! Any suggestions on when to reintroduce, is this the correct course of action?

We put a stuffed animal in there as a "hen," have a shiny cup to try and occupy them as well as a toilet paper roll. There are two water and food sources and I am going to get a bigger bin tomorrow. I am already very attached and have been scrolling through threads but am nervous that my little flock is going to be tumultuous forever!

Try giving the bully a mirror to peck at. Also stickers on the wall. Even address labels will work. Anything to giver her something to DO. A lot of pecking problems come from boredom.

 

[TeenieE]

She seems very deliberately hateful and I am willing to try anything! There is now a mirror in there and some stickers on the walls, I will do the same when I upgrade to the larger bin tomorrow! Thank you for the advice!!

 

[Crimson Clover]

I am having the same problem! The mean chick is a week older then 4 of them, but she is even mean to her sister the same age. I started thinking maybe she is a roo but its to early to tell!

 

[TeenieE]

Bigger bin, stickers, mirror, multiple water and food sources, heat source at both ends. Everybody has been together for about 2 hours and there have been a few pecks but the littlest can get away without being chased. I am cautiously optimistic. Also, the two oldest now have tail feathers and it is adorable.