Bullying?

[reluctant farmer]

Their picking on each other. We separated the ones we thought were responsible. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[sourland]

Feather picking/plucking/eating. If their diet is adequate it is generally a result of boredom and occurs most frequently when penned in a limited space. Pin Less Peepers can sometimes break the habit.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I agree with Sourland. I'd first get some "Blue Kote" spray and cover the bare patches. The blue tint keeps the chickens from clearly seeing the bare patch and they usually will not peck them anymore. I'd supplement the flock with 20 to 24% protein chick starter or finisher a couple of times a week to be sure they are getting the nutrition they need. The last thing is the amount of space they have and the boredom factor. Give them a cabbage to rip up, give them a pat of straw to tear into if they have little to do. Give them as much room as you have and they will stop bothering each other and be much more happy. Good Luck!
This is my large chicken run, about the size of 1/2 a football field. Fenced because of daytime predators like coyotes, fox and runaway dogs.

 

[reluctant farmer]

I agree with Sourland. I'd first get some "Blue Kote" spray and cover the bare patches. The blue tint keeps the chickens from clearly seeing the bare patch and they usually will not peck them anymore. I'd supplement the flock with 20 to 24% protein chick starter or finisher a couple of times a week to be sure they are getting the nutrition they need. The last thing is the amount of space they have and the boredom factor. Give them a cabbage to rip up, give them a pat of straw to tear into if they have little to do. Give them as much room as you have and they will stop bothering each other and be much more happy. Good Luck!
This is my large chicken run, about the size of 1/2 a football field. Fenced because of daytime predators like coyotes, fox and runaway dogs.

View attachment 2046363

Wow, thanks for the info! We will try that.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you don't have a huge amount of run space to work with but more than minimal, add clutter to give the chickens something to do. I personally don't like using food as a boredom buster, so something like a pile of dried leaves or straw, some roosts, some structures to get inside/on top of/go around are all good to keep chickens busy and moving around.

Kind of a terrible photo since it was just after a flood, but some of my chicken junk: a jungle gym in the back, covered feed area next to it, portable brooder towards the middle, green plastic dust bath in front, several bags of dried orange leaves...

 

[Rooapalooza]

I agree with Sourland. I'd first get some "Blue Kote" spray and cover the bare patches. The blue tint keeps the chickens from clearly seeing the bare patch and they usually will not peck them anymore. I'd supplement the flock with 20 to 24% protein chick starter or finisher a couple of times a week to be sure they are getting the nutrition they need. The last thing is the amount of space they have and the boredom factor. Give them a cabbage to rip up, give them a pat of straw to tear into if they have little to do. Give them as much room as you have and they will stop bothering each other and be much more happy. Good Luck!
This is my large chicken run, about the size of 1/2 a football field. Fenced because of daytime predators like coyotes, fox and runaway dogs.

View attachment 2046363

I love the chickens roosting on your tree board . Great idea! How many chickens do you have in there? Lol is that one on the table in the background?

 

[aart]

Their picking on each other. We separated the ones we thought were responsible. Any help would be appreciated.

Peepers are a last resort, IMO.
No pick and camouflage goops just make a mess.

Space and diet are the most important factors.
Start with the basics.....
Knowing more about:
-your flock size(numbers, ages, genders),
-your coop(size in feet by feet with pics),
-and what and how exactly you are feeding,
might offer clues to if there is a solvable problem.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I love the chickens roosting on your tree board . Great idea! How many chickens do you have in there? Lol is that one on the table in the background?

I have 39 chickens. We made a roost in that oak tree that they use daily. I get some great photos of them when they roost during the day. Yes, we have a bench and side table that they think they own as well. They love to roost on the back rest of the bench. I have to wash it off every other day or I can't use it, but I do and use it to sit out with them. I also put two chicken swings in one of the runs, but I've never seen anyone use them!

 

[Rooapalooza]

I have 39 chickens. We made a roost in that oak tree that they use daily. I get some great photos of them when they roost during the day. Yes, we have a bench and side table that they think they own as well. They love to roost on the back rest of the bench. I have to wash it off every other day or I can't use it, but I do and use it to sit out with them. I also put two chicken swings in one of the runs, but I've never seen anyone use them!

Mine love tables too. They always have to come check out if I've left food or put flowers on any outdoor table. I think they just like to hang out up high too . I've even got two hens who lay their eggs on my mail table right next to my back door!

My chickens don't like our swings either, but they love my hammock. I don't know what goes on in their little brains sometimes.

 

[Peppercorngal]

"My chickens don't like our swings either, but they love my hammock. I don't know what goes on in their little brains sometimes."
Well said! No one knows what in the world chickens are thinking, except for a young rooster who just wants "you-know-what"!!! That's why I love them, they are unique and unpredictable! Each one with a different personality.