How to raise Backyard Chickens: RE: [CHICKENS-101] bossy 3 week old chick

Monday, April 1, 2013

RE: [CHICKENS-101] bossy 3 week old chick - need advice

> My question: keeping this chick alone, will it cause the bossiness to
become worse once reintroduced to the flock?
>
> What I define as bossiness: chasing another chick away from food source,
jumping on the back of another chick, chasing in general, being more vocal
than usual toward the others. No toe, vent or feather pecking, though.

I would just make sure there are at least 2 feeders so even a low rank
chick will get the opportunity to eat. Other than that, I would just leave
things alone, they have to establish a pecking order and there will always
be a few who will act like your little bossy one. Taking the bossy one away
may change the pecking order and the bossy one may not be the top chick
anymore, but most likely another chick will seize the opportunity and take
over that role. As long as there are always more than one feeder and water
source and enough space, chicken will work things out. I always watch out
for the lower ranking ones to make sure they have an opportunity to eat and
drink.

Marlene
Nevada, USA
www.anatolians-of-zaltana.com