Bored Chickens pecking each other!

[xXChickenTenderXx]

That makes sense, but how come this didn't happen in the summer too?

 

[xXChickenTenderXx]

That makes sense, but how come this didn't happen in the summer too?

wait never mind, they were very busy in the summer free ranging. Any ways to help with over zealous grooming?

 

[Weeg]

We have 11 chicken. The run is 80 sq. feet. and the coop is around 36 sq. feet.

Got it. The run is a little small. Preferably you'd want an 88 sq. ft run, and the coop seems good. Your hens could probably benefit from having added space in the run. Maybe even an additional fence added to the door. You can put something together with solar powered electric poultry netting. It wont be covered, but it could give them some extra space for supervised outings. It will protect them fairly well from ground predators, but arial predators are still a concern.

 

[rosemarythyme]

wait never mind, they were very busy in the summer free ranging. Any ways to help with over zealous grooming?

At this point it might just be a habit with the flock, so pinless peepers might be the best overall "fix."

What are you feeding them? More protein could possibly help (like 18-20%), and dry pellet feed could be preferable to fermented or wet feed (in case you're using those, they're more likely to stick to the bird's faces/necks).

Otherwise... it probably doesn't bother the picked on birds all that much. I have EEs, and they're known for getting their beards groomed off. One has already gotten her newly grown beard for the upcoming season stripped off by the rest of the flock, but she is a notoriously messy eater so there's always food on her face.

 

[xXChickenTenderXx]

At this point it might just be a habit with the flock, so pinless peepers might be the best overall "fix."

What are you feeding them? More protein could possibly help (like 18-20%), and dry pellet feed could be preferable to fermented or wet feed (in case you're using those, they're more likely to stick to the bird's faces/necks).

Otherwise... it probably doesn't bother the picked on birds all that much. I have EEs, and they're known for getting their beards groomed off. One has already gotten her newly grown beard for the upcoming season stripped off by the rest of the flock, but she is a notoriously messy eater so there's always food on her face.

Okay, thanks for the help and recommendations!

 

[aart]

Got it. The run is a little small. Preferably you'd want an 88 sq. ft run, and the coop seems good. Your hens could probably benefit from having added space in the run. Maybe even an additional fence added to the door. You can put something together with solar powered electric poultry netting. It wont be covered, but it could give them some extra space for supervised outings. It will protect them fairly well from ground predators, but arial predators are still a concern.

The coop is half the size it oughta be.

We have 11 chicken. The run is 80 sq. feet. and the coop is around 36 sq. feet.

 

[xXChickenTenderXx]

The chickens are in the run all day by choice, the coop itself is only used for when they sleep and when they lay. The size of the run isn't much of a problem, especially in the summer because they free range. We sometimes give them the option in the winter to go outside, but they do not seem interested.

 

[aart]

The chickens are in the run all day by choice, the coop itself is only used for when they sleep and when they lay. The size of the run isn't much of a problem, especially in the summer because they free range. We sometimes give them the option in the winter to go outside, but they do not seem interested.

Still.

Is run protected enough to be in there 24/7 in your climate?

 

[Weeg]

The coop is half the size it oughta be.

Eek! Thanks for correcting me! I accidentally swapped some numbers around. I can't think today.

 

[xXChickenTenderXx]

Still.

Is run protected enough to be in there 24/7 in your climate?

Yes. I will have to upload a pic tomorrow.