Why are my Cornish Rocks becoming so aggressive???

[_Wildwood_]

I kept back 9 of my Cornish Rocks for egg laying, they just hit 6mos a week or so ago and finally started laying. Now all of a sudden they're becoming really aggressive, pecking each other, me and chasing me or anyone who walks outside. Finally decided to build a chicken tractor to keep them in, because I couldn't deal with it anymore (It got to the point where no one wanted to go outside anymore!). They get plenty of food, and have an 8ft x 8ft chicken tractor. I have no idea what happened, but one day it was just like someone flipped a switch and turned my sweet girls into these nasty chickens I have now.

 

[Judy]

That's pretty small for 9 full sized birds. Too little space and/or too little protein are the usual causes of pecking.

 

[_Wildwood_]

It's just over 7 sq. ft. per bird. I thought the general rule was 4 sq. ft. per bird?

 

[gale65]

4 sq feet is the general rule. No idea why someone would think that was too small. :/

 

[Cluckysnap123]

still, if I were a chicken, I'd go mad too if I had to live in that size.

 

[gale65]

oh also if you want to try adding protein, cat food is a good way to do that. I just throw in a couple of handfuls.

 

[gale65]

Oh wait. 4 sq feet is for a coop which they don't usually stay in all day. For a tractor/run they probably need more.

 

[keesmom]

Are these Cornish X meat birds?

 

[_Wildwood_]

Are these Cornish X meat birds?

Yes, but they're over 6 months old. If the breed is the problem, I guess I could just butcher them out and get new hens from one of the poultry auctions.

 

[gale65]

I didn't think people raised them for that long. Don't they get too big? Are you using them for eggs?

reading comprehension is a good thing-I see now that you did keep them back for eggs. I've never heard of anyone using those kind of chickens for eggs. They seem like their legs get funky when they get too big.