I purchased a few chicks last week including those little turk chicks (so ugly there cute!) and then within a span of about 5-6 days I purchased 2 more barred rock chicks. I have all them all in the same box and all was going well until one of the little barred rock chicks started harassing every other chick in the box by pecking them in the eyes. She is smaller than the others so she actually jumps up to assault the poor little chicks especially the turk chicks. I have put her in solitary after she pecked the heck out of one of the Rhode Island chicks leaving her eye closed. Any suggestions? should I just keep her separate? she is so cute but is like satan when around the other chicks. Oh by the way the other Barred Rock chick is sweet as can be so I am at a loss.
Thanks everyone!
Question about pecking
io gues they are still young, and came from the same place? otherwise, in the future, you really should keep chicks separate for about four weeks if they didn't hatch together or at least come from your own flock.
most of it is likely her temperament. but if she see you as ChickenMama, you could try using your finger to peck at her when she does it. she may get the point. otherwise maybe you know someone who just wants one chicken. maybe someone with a child who has special needs, but coudln't handle a whole flock?
tf
One of my chicks did that at first--named her Peccorina because of it. She would grab hold of one of the
RIR eyelid til it screamed. I took other peoples advice and put shiny things in the brooder to distract her. Eventually all the other chicks just turned there backs when she came near. I think she was just going after the bright blinking eye--She is not an agressive bird at 6 weeks. So there may be hope--but do protect the others.
oh, yes, i rember that, GREAT IDEA!
Barred Rocks are aggressive chickens and if they don't have enough space or enough interesting things to peck at they will peck one another. Be sure they have plenty food. Give them oats also, chickens love it.
When we started our first flock we had one barred rock. She is by all means at the TOP of the pecking order. I think she ranks above the rooster :) We now have 2 more barred rocks, one is just like the first, more aggressive.
Thank you smedge, I was thinking of getting a barred rock rooster with the buffs I am planning on buying for diversity in my flock, but I certainly don't want another mean rooster. I guess I will go with another RIR like Rocky. He is particularly gentle although I was told that RIRs are mean. Not so!!
Granny--I wouldn't say my RIRs are mean, after all they are only 7 weeks old, but I would say they are the most "assertive" of my 5 breeds. I have heard that the roosters can be "a little fiesty with each other" and "will not tolerate overcrowding." Another book says "they are generally docile, though cocks are sometimes aggessive", But I have also heard that this is strain dependent and you should check your source carefully. If you know where to get another one like "Rocky" you should let us all know! Maybe you should get him a nice RIR lady friend and breed sweet RIR!
I have heard that Brahmas roos are very mellow and gentle. They are very large birds, slow to mature and moderate egg layers--but they do say they will lay brown eggs all winter and stand up well to heat and cold. Unfortunatley for me they have feathered legs, and we have a long very wet winters here. Does anyone have Brahmas? What do you think of them?
This message was edited Apr 6, 2008 2:04 PM
well, seeing as I intend to buy a roo from Tractor Supply Co along with about a dozen Buff pullets. I wouldn't be able to get a Brahma then. My choice will probably be RIR, Buff, Barred Rock, maybe White Rock and one or two other common breeds. The same person that told me about Buffs being gentle told me that RIR roosters were totally mean. I kept one of each and found out that like mcamden, the buff was the mean one.
The chicks would be coming from the same hatchery I got Rocky from so there is a good chance I would get another RIR that is gentle.
Hi Granny--can you find out what hatchery your TSC is using and let us know? I am very impressed by the RIR's egg laying reputation and would love a sweet one. Mine are not particularly friendly--not mean, just a little flightier than I expected. DH likes them--he likes animals with attitude--but he's just admiring them from afar. LOL.
We have and RIR, sexlink mix rooster. The mother was RIR the father sex link. He is one of the sweetest and most spoiled roosters I have ever seen. My son carries him around all the time and his legs just hand down (the roosters that is) He looks mostly RIR. We have another that is RIR and sexlink mix and he takes more after the father, in fact he looks just like the father only the father has a rose comb and he has a straight. He is tame but a bit more aggressive, not as tame as the one that looks mostly RIR.
The hatchery is Townline Hatchery in Zeeland Michigan. I got Rocky 4 years ago when I ordered chicks through the feed mill in Reed City. But since it is the biggest hatchery in Michigan, I am guessing most of the outlets here get their chicks from them.
My lovely barred rock rooster, Rocky (how many of us have a rooster named Rocky?LOL) is really a very nice guy. He watches over his hens and he also keeps an eye out on the guineas. He is big and beautiful and really likes to be held and pet!
Hi Granny. I checked on line and Townline has a website and ships! Unforntunately they have a 25 chick minimum. Maybe I can find someone local who needs RIR?
Catscan, I noticed that too. I don't know how you could get around it unless you could find some others that would go in with you.
BTW, when I got ours 4 years ago, I got a mixture of RIRs, Buffs, Barred Rocks, White Rocks, and Araucanas. So, you might be able to do it that way. But the total would have to be 25.
Good Luck ^_^
This message was edited Apr 6, 2008 11:18 PM
Thanks for info!
One more question. One of the little injured chicks (turken) had her eyes sealed shut. I think it was from dried blood so I dampened a cloth and wiped them clean. She is now able to open them if she wants but she is still very sore and her neck it pretty pecked up and raw. Any suggestions on what to put on injuries or ways to make her more comfy. I have separated the aggressor and the little turken but beyond that I am at a loss.
Thanks again
Ooooo, that rotten Barred Rock! There was an excellent thread on treating poultry wounds--it was about a poor little turkey poult. I'll see if I can find it.
Here it is. Good Luck!
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/828708/
BAD chicken! good luck with your sweet turken!