4 month old chickens eating each other

[ChickensAreSweet]

I would switch from laying mash and scratch to flock raiser or unmedicated chick starter for awhile.

Flock Raiser and unmedicated chick starter will have 20% protein, and laying mash is 16% or so. Scratch is probably 10% or so protein.

Up their protein and they might not peck. It is worth a try. I would cut all treats for now (just a temporary thing) so that they can have HIGH protein. You can do it for a few days and see if they just gobble that protein up. Maybe it will work.

Last resort is pinless peepers (chicken blinders). Put them on everyone...it works for some people. They cannot see right in front of them to peck another chicken. Warm them up in water to soften the plastic before applying them, I have read.

 

[hrhta812]

I've read of people hanging cabbage heads from the wire, for them to peck at and amuse themselves. Never tried it yet, but sounds like a good idea. I don't know how often you throw scratch but if you can do it more times per day, maybe that would help alleviate boredom. I don't really know, I'm just brainstorming.

Do they have anything to do a dust baths in? Maybe put some things in with them that they can perch on? One old thread I found had people talking about raking leaves and throwing those in with the hens - they enjoy poking around through them looking for bugs.

I've made some home made suet type balls for my chickens, using hamburger grease, oats, scratch grains, sunflower seeds, etc. I just mix it all up, line a baking pan with tin foil, spread it around in the pan, then freeze or chill it, so it's hard enough to cut into chunks. They go nuts for that stuff.

 

[Sparrow]

These chicks are telling you something in a shocking way...they need protein! They are cannibalizing because they desperately need it. You said you feed scratch, greens and table scraps, it is no wonder they are deficient in a very important nutrient at this age. Please get them on flock raiser food, supplementing with extra protein(eggs, cat food, etc) until they stop.

 

[ailron]

This thread hits very close to home. I too have RIR and Buff Orp chickens. Mine are about two and a half months old and are picking the feathers out of each other to the point of bleeding. I have not had any deaths yet, but have had some pretty serious injuries, even deep puncture wounds. We now have dog crates that have become our chicken sick bay, as we take the injured ones out immediately and treat them with a spray antiseptic, blood stop powder and Sulmet in the drinking water. We also have more than the recommended space for their age and have treated for mites and lice. Mine have a constant supply of chick starter and get treats of scratch, a little bread and fresh pulled weeds or grass clippings almost daily. Many of mine have no feathers on their back and wings due to this problem. I have noticed that the RIR roosters seem to be the trouble makers. Just stand and observe them for a while. Maybe this is your problem too. RIR roosters tend to be aggressive and this seems to be my main problem. I am taking as many as possible to the flea market this weekend to try and weed out the bullies. In the mean time, I will try some scrambled eggs to see if this gives any relief. Best of luck with your flock!

 

[Fred's Hens]

These chicks are telling you something in a shocking way...they need protein! They are cannibalizing because they desperately need it. You said you feed scratch, greens and table scraps, it is no wonder they are deficient in a very important nutrient at this age. Please get them on flock raiser food, supplementing with extra protein(eggs, cat food, etc) until they stop.

Good advice. Yes, this would be helpful. But, finding a feed that is 18-20% protein, where animal protein is the 3rd or 4th ingredient listed, would accomplish what is required as well and not require supplementation.

This thread hits very close to home. I too have RIR and Buff Orp chickens. Mine are about two and a half months old and are picking the feathers out of each other to the point of bleeding. I have not had any deaths yet, but have had some pretty serious injuries, even deep puncture wounds. We now have dog crates that have become our chicken sick bay, as we take the injured ones out immediately and treat them with a spray antiseptic, blood stop powder and Sulmet in the drinking water. We also have more than the recommended space for their age and have treated for mites and lice. Mine have a constant supply of chick starter and get treats of scratch, a little bread and fresh pulled weeds or grass clippings almost daily. Many of mine have no feathers on their back and wings due to this problem. I have noticed that the RIR roosters seem to be the trouble makers. Just stand and observe them for a while. Maybe this is your problem too. RIR roosters tend to be aggressive and this seems to be my main problem. I am taking as many as possible to the flea market this weekend to try and weed out the bullies. In the mean time, I will try some scrambled eggs to see if this gives any relief. Best of luck with your flock!

The "RIR" roosters you identify as being so aggressive are quite likely poorly bred, mixed bred, hatchery type RIR, which is nothing like a true bred, heritage Rhode Island Red. Just saying.

Each pound of scratch and other food items dilutes the protein level of their feed. Since most contemporary feeds are vegetarian, even though a chicken requires meat to be a substantial proportion of the feed intake, they often resort to cannibalism to survive. The space that much of the literature "say" is sufficient is merely a guideline, not gospel. If chickens feel crowded and bad behaviors result, you can toss the literature's recommendation. Just sayin'.

I've got a story from my first flock, in 1959, about cannibalism among 250 chicks, but I'll spare you the re-telling. LOL

 

[allieszoo]

Along with the changes in their diet, you should also try some blu-coat (not sure I spelt that right) for any wounds. That should also help to keep them from pecking at the same spots..my understanding is that kinda go nuts when they see blood and the blu-coat helps mask the blood/cut

I know you said you can't free range the flock but do you have a yard that you could let them out in for maybe an hour or so under your supervision?

 

[peacockdude]

You can cull them and start over if you want