Pecking

Ksimone

In the Brooder
Mar 30, 2025
29
6
11
Hi everyone! I have 8 baby chicks all around the same age (3 lavender orps, black austrolorp, 2 polishs, brahma, buff orp) and today when cleaning their bedding I noticed one of the heads of my polishs (who is also my favorite) was red - looked like it had been being pecked- then I watched. Few of them peck the bald spot on her head, I have some pictures - should I be doing anything for her ? I don’t want it to get infected.
 
Picture of my girls head
 

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Hi ! If her head is bleeding or has a wound, I would think about getting her away from the others until she is healed up. Isolating her.

Chickens love to peck at sores, bumps, blood etc. They do it to me when I have a scab on my leg!

I'm not familiar with those breeds but one of them could be prone to pecking or you just have girl who plays too rough.

I got 3 Bielefelders a while back and didn't realize they were bad "eye peckers"...I now have a Cream Legbar that needs a eye patch!

I got lazy and forgot to read up on them before ordering. But ever since my " Capt Jack Sparrow" incident, I read up before I get new breeds😃
 
she has a little red spot I bought her this no peckin lotion from rooster booster , I’m not sure if it’s helping- it’s supposed to both heal and deter I just don’t want her getting injured
 
she has a little red spot I bought her this no peckin lotion from rooster booster , I’m not sure if it’s helping- it’s supposed to both heal and deter I just don’t
That could fix the problem. If it doesn't, I would isolate her, maybe try putting her in of a small box inside of your brooder with a little food and water..just until her head heals.
 
Sometimes people can get polish to fit into a flock of standard sized birds, but often times they can't. Do not think that being raised together will prevent this. "Birds of a feather flock together" is pretty true with chickens, maybe not so much the color, but size is very important. If polish have weird feathers, they can be a magnet for abuse.

You might consider creating another coop/run for just the polish.

MRs K
 
Sometimes people can get polish to fit into a flock of standard sized birds, but often times they can't. Do not think that being raised together will prevent this. "Birds of a feather flock together" is pretty true with chickens, maybe not so much the color, but size is very important. If polish have weird feathers, they can be a magnet for abuse.

You might consider creating another coop/run for just the polish.

MRs K
We honestly are I think! We have three silkies (new) and a barred rock who got bullied over wry neck that we had to remove and rehab inside. I am also getting three more polish chicks in May so I feel like I might put all of those girls together
 

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