6 week old chicks are killing each other

[bradleyfarm]

I have ameraucana chicks that keep killing eachother. I don't know why their doing it. I have them in a large section in my coop, with a light, and a small radio. We are switching them over to scratch, but we still keep starter in a container for them. They have water, and a place to perch. Can anyone tell me why their doing this. I have lost 4 birds this week alone. For some reason they seem scared most of the time. I need help!!!!

ooooo, and they are picking feathers out of eachother.. any ideas why their doing that?? I put vitamines in their water, and I have started giving them oyster shell as a suppliment. What am I doing wrong. I need help before they all end up dead

 

[mrbstephens]

What kind of music are you playing on the radio? Maybe you need to switch from heavy metal to classical or something.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[enola]

There are reasons for picking feathers....
1) crowded
2) bored
3) nutritional deficiencies
4) hunger

When blood starts showing, the bleeding chicken must be moved IMMEDIATELY. Cannibalism starts from bored/crowded/hungry chickens picking at bloody spots. Cannibalism is almost impossible to stop once started.

6 week old chicks do not need oyster shell, too much calcium is not good for them.

Leave them on starter feed until just before they are ready to lay.

Scratch is NOT a good diet. It is a good TREAT in small quantities.

Try picking them some grass for a treat and add grit to their diet. Grit will help them digest the grass.

 

[speckledhen]

It will get worse if you continue feeding scratch! They need much more protein than that provides. Starter or starter/grower till laying age, then layer feed not scratch. And DO NOT give babies oyster shell-that is only for laying hens.

 

[AHappychick]

yes I would say their protein is to low, is it one chick that is the bad guy or all of them? are there bloody chicks in there from battle? if so then remove them and apply blue-kote or bacitracin, or vet rx to it and keep apart until they heal up.

 

[bradleyfarm]

Quote:
Believe it or not I'm playing religious music.. it's easy listening, and sometimes theirs even preaching....

 

[AHappychick]

Quote:
Believe it or not I'm playing religious music.. it's easy listening, and sometimes theirs even preaching....

well that could be your problem right there

sorry could not resist I mean no offence

 

[bradleyfarm]

Quote:
We have been treating with blue-kote. Even the ones with only feathers missing. We have been trying to deture the plicking, and pecking. My husband is gone to the coop right now to remove the scratch, and give them more starter. I have been giving them grass. Everyday I pick a hand full. I thought it was just a treat.

 

[enola]

If you are feeding them grass, they need grit. Oyster shell is not gritt.

Without grit, they can get compacted crop or sour crop.

 

[bradleyfarm]

Quote:
Believe it or not I'm playing religious music.. it's easy listening, and sometimes theirs even preaching....

well that could be your problem right there

sorry could not resist I mean no offence

what would you sugest?? country???