Cannibalism targeting broilers

[Mosey2003]

The broilers are half bald because they're broilers. They don't feather up as fast as normal chicks.

You'd be better off getting a bag of broiler crumbles than sunflower seeds, in my opinion.

 

[aart]

So I understand this happens because of lack of protein so I'm going to run to town this morning and get some black oil sunflower seed.

Well, what is the protein percentage in what you're feeding?
BOSS has a lot of fat too, might not be the best choice.

 

[saskmomma4]

I think my feed is 16 % its grower finisher feed. I only have 2 brand options locally for feed the one I get is about $11 for a 20kg bag the other brand is $22 for the same size bag so not much choice. Maybe the wild game starter I have for my guineas would be better? It's something like 20 or 24%.

 

[Mosey2003]

Yes. The gamebird would be good, especially since they're going at each other. Normally I'd say cut the 16% with it, but for now, I'd be throwing protein at them.

 

[aart]

I think my feed is 16 % its grower finisher feed. I only have 2 brand options locally for feed the one I get is about $11 for a 20kg bag the other brand is $22 for the same size bag so not much choice. Maybe the wild game starter I have for my guineas would be better? It's something like 20 or 24%.

How old are these birds?

 

[Northern.Ontario]

1) What size is the coop you are keeping them in?

2) How many birds did you originally keep in this coop before the cannibalism?

3) Do you keep a light on all the time?

 

[saskmomma4]

How old are these birds?

The older ones are 12 weeks or so and the majority (including broilers) are about 9 weeks.

 

[saskmomma4]

1) What size is the coop you are keeping them in?

2) How many birds did you originally keep in this coop before the cannibalism?

3) Do you keep a light on all the time?

Not sure the square footage. They are in a smaller flat bottom grain bin actually.

I have acquired them all this spring we were planning on brooding them in the bin until we were done seeding them get the coop built but just hasn't happened yet and my builder (husband) broke his foot which I'd slowing our process.

No lights on at all.

 

[saskmomma4]

I've been saying this too the broilers are too lazy to fight back. This morning I caught almost every DP bird and put them outside and closed the door lol they are in the fence apart for now. Best I can do till evening.

You need to separate them firstly. If it is the DP birds going after the broilers and not a predator, they're able to do it because the broilers just aren't going to get up and run or fight back, they basically want to sit around and eat. I would hazard a guess that space is a big factor, probably did not have enough. At this point they may not stop no matter what you do, so you need to just give the broilers their own safe place. Not feeding enough protein can promote feather eating/plucking in chickens, which could end up going farther. It's really hard to tell online what the cause may be, but if it really is the other birds doing it, someone's gotta move.

 

[Northern.Ontario]

Not sure the square footage. They are in a smaller flat bottom grain bin actually.

I have acquired them all this spring we were planning on brooding them in the bin until we were done seeding them get the coop built but just hasn't happened yet and my builder (husband) broke his foot which I'd slowing our process.

No lights on at all.

So you had 40 dual purpose and 85 Cornish cross in a small bin? I'm raising 100 Cornish cross in a 12'x20' coop (240 square feet). They have an outdoor pen of almost 600 square feet. You cant go less than 2 square feet per bird. That's the bare MINIMUM. I think this is what caused your cannibalism.