Blood Thirsty Chicks

[Chickens-246]

When I checked on my 3 week old chicks I found one just standing there letting the others peck her tail off, like she just gave up. The tail was pretty gross looking, like part of it is gone. After isolating her and treating the wound, I watch to see who was doing this. I found all of the remaining 5 were pecking each other, 3 others had bloody tails as well. 8 hours earlier, things were just fine.

I've raised several groups of chicks before and this never happened before. I have no clue what set them off.

6 chicks, using Purina chick starter, 8 sqft of brooder space.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Are you using a red light? Red lights help discourage picking. I would use blue-cote or something similar.

Sometimes critters do that once they get into the habit. My guess is to keep them from doing it by discouraging picking through blue cote and adding other things for them to work on.

 

[Resolution]

Babycakes and Foragecakes put a quick stop to the problem plus they boost the birds' immune functions and help them grow new feathers.

 

[suzyq53511]

im sorry. i know it sad for chicks to peck each other but its sorta funny!

 

[LauraG]

Quote:
Sorry but there is nothing funny about a poor bloody chick being pecked to death.

 

[suzyq53511]

i want trying to be cruel. i try to find humor in horrible things. thats how i get through them. sorry

 

[MareeZoCool]

Plenty of space and tasty treats. Creat a play-ground,using empty paper towel & T.P. tubes, some dried branches. Give those little chicks plenty of entertainment, so they will be less likely to be obsessing on one another's tails or other body parts.

Good luck, my friend!

 

[Chickens-246]

I found the guilty party, she consistently tries to pull out feathers, the others seem to follow suit once blood is drawn. She is in isolation, I'll leave her there for a week, then re-introduce her. But I get the feeling she will be culled, for the good of the others.

I have to say suzyq53511, you are one sick puppy.

 

[dumb_cluck]

Chicks are like little kids in the car: " stop touching me ! She's looking at me! .......Mom!, etc" (only Mom ain't there to break it up.)

Gotta keep them busy or they get rowdy.

 

[suzyq53511]

i wasnt trying to be sick
i should of put it like dumb cluck did. like kids in the back of a car....
geeze didnt have to take it so seriously
I AM NOT A SICK PUPPY