First time chick owner of six, three day old chicks - with several questions!

[MinnieMae]

Hi! I have six chicks that hatched on August 31, and arrived yesterday morning. They are all active, eating, drinking and exploring. However, our Barred Rock has set its sights on our Orpington, and pecked the top of her beak until she bled. We removed the Orpington, cleaned her up, ensured she was no longer bleeding, and returned her to the brooder. The pecking dissipated, but occasionally continues. Trying to give them something else to peck at and find entertainment in, I took the advice of google and did the following but I'm hoping someone can give me feedback and let me know if it's safe for them, or I need to stop or make further changes?

- Their brooder box is 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 ft, white heat lamp temperature is about 96 degrees on ground directly under lamp. The lamp is near the edge, so they have plenty of space to move away from it if needed. They're generally spread out through the brooder. I purchased a red lamp as I read that may be less stimulating and irritating to them, and will switch it over today
- I dug up and gave them a chunk of clover with the dirt attached and they enjoyed exploring that. They didn't seem to consume the clover, but did pick through the roots and dirt
- I can see some are trying to bathe in the bedding, I gave them a shallow tray with a mix of sand and dirt in it. They really enjoyed it, but I got worried and removed it because they seem to be eating a lot of it. I know this is beneficial grit - but will chicks self regulate and not go overboard with it? Should I put it back in?
- They have a little roosting bar and a stuffed toy that they are enjoying hanging out on
- They always have access to food, water, and their brooder is in a relatively quiet space indoors, but we visit them often
- Should we have put a medication on our Orpington's beak? If so, is there one you recommend having on hand that is multi-purpose for general wounds/skin issues?

ANY feedback and advice is appreciated! Thank you!

 

[chickenlittle21]

Everytime you see the barred rock peck the orpington, tap the barred rock on the back as like a peck.

 

[centralcaligirl]

Every issue I ever had with behavior with chicks was caused by the space being too small. I had four (4) chicks this year and they started in a brooder that was 5x3 = 15 square feet. You have six (6) chicks in a brooder that is 8.75 square feet. Even if that's okay for now, it won't last long. You're going to have to make it bigger soon. I would double the size of the brooder.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Like @centralcaligirl my only issues have been space. The other things you are doing are great, obviously you are very caring and attentive to your new birds.

Bigger Brooder gets my vote as well.

I have 6 chicks currently (the SLWs) in my 15 sq ft Brooder space, they are a week old. Weather permitting, they come out during the day (we have a warm climate here) and roam a 50sq ft fenced and partially roofed area. Getting ready to move them to my grow out box end of next week, which will be 25 sq ft initially, and i can expand it to over 60 sq ft by taking down some chicken wire - won't be needed this time, but it has been in the past.

 

[centralcaligirl]

And yes, I would give them back the sand and dirt to play in. It's good that they are trying to dustbathe. Grooming behaviors are a sign that your chicks are in good health!

You can give them a little bowl of chick grit now and clumps of dirt and the clover from the yard. They will peck a lot at everything - that's how they explore - but as long as they are still eating their feed and gaining weight they will be fine.

 

[centralcaligirl]

Like @centralcaligirl

I have 6 chicks currently (the SLWs) in my 15 sq ft Brooder space, they are a week old. Weather permitting, they come out during the day (we have a warm climate here) and roam a 50sq ft fenced and partially roofed area. Getting ready to move them to my grow out box end of next week, which will be 25 sq ft initially, and i can expand it to over 60 sq ft by taking down some chicken wire - won't be needed this time, but it has been in the past.

What a great set-up!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

What a great set-up!

Born of necessity. I had the start of a flock (first 12 birds), including 4 ducks, still growing out. Added another batch of chicks, a month later. Couldn't have 2 day old babies sharing a space with 4 week old ducks, they'd get crushed - so I got some short plastic step in fence poles and some chicken wire, divided the grow out into a 25 sq ft area and a 35 sq ft area. Then, when I moved some tools out of the shed and into the barn, I was left with a 15 sq ft area of "free space", in a building I had wired for power - so that became my brooder box, and now I don't have to run 100' of extension cords to the barn.

Speaking of which, time to move the SLWs back into their brooder, change the water, and kick on the warmer. they get big so fast!

Have a great evening all!