Cannibalism

[hemmerleking]

Hello. I had started a previous thread re: my Americaunas, which seem to have been targeted by my other flock which contains Golden Sexlinks, Silver Laced Wyandottes & Barred Rocks. I have an Americauna rooster, too. Since my last thread, I have separated the Americauna hens from the others & am getting ready to separate my rooster; we had to build a new structure just for him. I didn't want to put him with the Americauna hens, b/c I want their wounds to heal & he will still mount them, which will affect the wounds on their back(s). The hens are healing & I am still spraying my roosters rear tail feather loss/affected area w/ Blue Kote, to try to discourage the others from pecking at him. I have observed my Barred Rocks & Golden Sexlinks pecking at him. He has even cowered in a corner of the coop, with 4 hens hovering over him. He should be moved out, in the day or two. I did change their feed to include a whole flock feed w/ 20% protein. I have also added boredom busters to the coop, such as the worm/seed blocks & additional wood to perch on, find bugs under, etc. We have also allowed them to free roam, when we are home, in the evenings. Currently, there are 9 chickens in a yard/run that's 8'X10' & they have an enclosed coop made from an upcycled gazebo, which they use for laying eggs & sleeping in. Within the enclosed coop are (3) perches & an upcycled pie safe which has (3) shelves that they use to lay their eggs. The shelves are approximately 12" X 36". After separating the hens (Americaunas) for a week, increasing the protein, treating the coop for mites/lice using Seven Duest 5% & Poultry/Garden dust (once a week, for the past 3 weeks), spraying affected areas with Blue Kote & treating separated birds with an antibacterial in the water, I now have another hen that ate an egg. Could I simply have a bird that's a "cannibal" & no matter what I do, she will peck other birds &/or eat eggs? I hate to give away these other (3) & still end up with a bird that's intent on destroying our flock!!! I would appreciate further input. Thank you...

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Backyard chicken food is like the latest fishing lures. Their sole purpose is to "catch" the fisherman or in the case of seed blocks and boredom fighters the intent is to hook and reel in the chicken's keeper. These feeds are

not intended to have a positive effect on the health and well being of your poultry.

A deep litter like 12 inches or more of shredded corn shucks that your chickens will have to scratch in, scatter and turn just to find their food is an excellent boredom fighter and besides, scratching in loose litter

closely mimics a chickens' natural free range lifestyle.