beak trim or not to save younger chickens?

[newchickenmom33]

Well I thought the flock was getting along. I was wrong. I have 5 20 week old pullets (3 barred rock, 1 RIR, and 1 orpington) and 3 9 week old pullets (all RIR). They have been able to see and hear each other for the last 3 weeks through runs sides by side. The last two weeks we would allow them several hours a day together. There’s always pecking but no pinning down. I found a baby with a bloody head today. I need to keep them all safe. What to do? Help!

 

[lazy gardener]

More information: What are the exact dimensions of your coop and run? Pics helpful. In most instances of bullying to the point of blood shed or cannibalism, lack of space is the primary cause.

 

[redranger209]

There’s a product that makes it so they can’t peck, but I forgot what it’s called.

 

[Al Capon]

There’s a product that makes it so they can’t peck, but I forgot what it’s called.

Pinless Peepers.

 

[newchickenmom33]

More information: What are the exact dimensions of your coop and run? Pics helpful. In most instances of bullying to the point of blood shed or cannibalism, lack of space is the primary cause.

The coop is 7 ft by 5 ft by 3.5 ft.... then we added a run for the larger girls that is 8 ft by 5 ft... a smaller run for the babies 7 ft by 3 feet and a make shift temp coop for them that is 4 ft by 2 ft. The runs are temporary until we can figure out where the coop will stay and how to make a more sturdy fence. I thought they had enough room. I can expand it but it almost seems like two of the big girls are always pecking. I thought a lil pecking was ok but this is the first time I’ve seen blood.

Can you see the babies head?

 

[redranger209]

Pinless Peepers.

Yep, that’s it!

 

[newchickenmom33]

Pinless Peepers.

really?

 

[coach723]

I really think space is your problem. There just isn't enough room for them to get away, and with the current set up, there are corners where they can be cornered/trapped. Your true 'coop' (that's the house part) dimensions look more like 3.5 x 5 x a little less than 2. To expect 8 birds to roost in there comfortable is dreaming. My suggestion would be to enclose the entire coop (or build something bigger) as it is now so that the entire 7 x 5 x 3.5 is enclosed house/coop. And to increase your run size (the part that isn't house) by at least double. Those premade coops always way over estimate the amount of birds they can really hold, and depending on the personalities of your individual birds, the actual space needed can vary greatly. Usually the minimum recommendations are coop space 4 square feet per bird, run space 10 square feet per bird, roost space 10-12" per bird. Those are minimums and recommendations, but in practice you may need more or less, depending on your birds, whether they spend more time in the coop (will they need to be inside more during winter?- more space needed), whether they free range, etc. When you have behavior or bullying problems, space is very often the issue.

 

[newchickenmom33]

I really think space is your problem. There just isn't enough room for them to get away, and with the current set up, there are corners where they can be cornered/trapped. Your true 'coop' (that's the house part) dimensions look more like 3.5 x 5 x a little less than 2. To expect 8 birds to roost in there comfortable is dreaming. My suggestion would be to enclose the entire coop (or build something bigger) as it is now so that the entire 7 x 5 x 3.5 is enclosed house/coop. And to increase your run size (the part that isn't house) by at least double. Those premade coops always way over estimate the amount of birds they can really hold, and depending on the personalities of your individual birds, the actual space needed can vary greatly. Usually the minimum recommendations are coop space 4 square feet per bird, run space 10 square feet per bird, roost space 10-12" per bird. Those are minimums and recommendations, but in practice you may need more or less, depending on your birds, whether they spend more time in the coop (will they need to be inside more during winter?- more space needed), whether they free range, etc. When you have behavior or bullying problems, space is very often the issue.

. We have to figure something out. The older pullets never bother or peck each other.

 

[keesmom]

I agree. That coop is nowhere near large enough for 8. I wouldn't put more than 3 in that tiny space.