How Do I Stop My Day-Old Chicks From Pecking Each Other's Feet?

Chicks are born curious and inexperienced. They test everything that appears to be a potential food source. They are especially drawn to items that are red in color, or in contrast to a surrounding color field. Chicks may peck at the eyes, toes, comb or vent area of others in their brooder as they forage for food. Once they learn these test items aren't food, they will stop pecking on their own. Chickens also peck to establish a hierarchy of dominance in the flock, so some pecking must be tolerated as chicks exhibit instinctive flock behaviors. However steps must be taken to discourage overly aggressive pecking that escalates to injury.

Things You'll Need

Red bulb
Blu-Kote ointment

Instructions

- 1
  Set up your brooder to minimize aggression in chicks. It should be roomy enough for chicks to move freely and forage naturally. Replace your white heat lamp bulb with a red one to further reduce unwanted pecking behavior in chicks. Red bulbs are commonly used in the poultry industry to change the visual contrast and color saturation in the environment in order to reduce aggression.
- 2
  
  Dominance in a flock is also referred to as the 'pecking order.'
  
  Separate standard or heritage breeds, fancy breeds, and the smaller-sized bantams into brooders of their own. Small flock members, those that appear weak or sick, or those with unusual characteristics such as fancy crests often receive excessive attention in mixed flocks.
- 3
  Remove injured chicks from the brooder immediately and treat wounds. Keep them warm and separate from the flock until the pecked foot area is healed. Apply the wound dressing "Blu-Kote" to keep the scabbed area from being pecked again. Chickens tend to ignore the color blue. Blu-Kote contains a blue stain that will camouflage the wound and has a taste chickens dislike.