Cannible chicks HELP QUICK.. they are being eaten alive

[Clay In Iowa]

Quote:
I agree with Ruth..

But in my opinion it sounds more like the MO of a Shrew. I've found mice in my barn in the same condition. Only feet and head left and then a few days later trapped a shrew (or 10). Shrews have extremely high metabolisms and devour the easy to get parts and then more on to their next meal.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Ah. The light bulb lights. A predator makes perfect sense.

What is really sad is the hatchery told the OP to cull the flock....

 

[lunarfound]

I am really new at this but what I read says to put vaseline on the wounds because that is what is being picked at they don't like that and to keep them under red lights until it is healed up. The sight of blood makes it worse.

 

[mypicklebird]

I also think there may be a predator here- even the adult cannibal hens do not eat the whole bird- they peck out the vent area. Chicks are not really capable of doing that sort of damage. I think a rat(s) are getting in. A larger predator would just take the chick and leave. If wild birds can get it, jays and crows will also kill and eat chicks. A cat might leave the feet, but would probably also take the chick elsewhere to eat it.
You need to inspect your area and cover/enclose ect, or move them into your bathroom!
Sit out there for several hours about 15 ft away very quietly with a good book, and you will probably see who/what is doing this.

 

[gchick]

UPDATE: One was eaten the next morning. But nothing since in the outside 12X12. I brought 6 of the inside my house in a 150 gal water trough with pine shaving, water, food, a little bit of hay... One eaten. But nothing since. They have preaned most of the grease off. It is not a preditor I wish it were I could eliminate that. There are two groups in two seperate locations. Eaten in both groups. In reading some posts from this sight it is possible and is documented. Talked to the hatchery again today and they say it happens and happen quick once they start it is very difficult to stop. If anyone has a chick(s) arrive dead as I did you should spray EVERYONE with anti peck lotion (bluekote) keep a small amount of fluffy hay for them to play with and of course food, water, grit and appropriate heat. Mine arrive very cold temp around 27 degree outside just before easter and it is suspected that they began pecking each other as a primal response for the need for energy. Even though they are never out of food/water they still will seek out the weak and establish a pecking order. They say they will if turned out with my adult chicken there is a very high likelyhood they will find the weak ones and kill them too, that the docile breeds will be the most at risk of being murdered.

 

[Brindlebtch]

Yikes! That is really awful! I am so sorry you are having this problem. It must be very traumatic for you, to say nothing for the chicks, too.

 

[iearldtg]

Maybe this will help


1. Cannibalism/feather picking. My chickens are pulling out each other's tail feathers out or are killing each other. How do I stop this?
The tendency to cannibalism and feather picking varies widely among different kinds of chickens. You should ask your hatchery to recommend a non-cannibalistic strain before placing your order.

Commercial flocks generally use beak-trimming to reduce the birds' ability to harm one another. This frees the breeders of commercial strains from any need to control cannibalism. My experience with two strains of Production Reds is that they are quite cannibalistic. California Grays, Barred Rocks, and Black Sex-Links from Privett Hatchery (in Portales) are quite non-cannibalistic. I don't have enough experience with other strains to have a firm opinion.

As mentioned above, beak-trimming controls cannibalism. Day-old chicks can have their beaks trimmed at the hatchery, but this is temporary and has to be done again around six weeks or so. I've never seen an outbreak before six weeks, so I don't see the point. Beak-trimming is unaesthetic, but nothing is more disgusting than a flock of actively cannibalistic birds. But it's better to avoid the problem by choosing relatively non-cannibalistic strains.

Crowding increases cannibalism. Inadequate feeder and waterer space increases cannibalism. Malnutrition increases cannibalism. Feeding pellets instead of mash increases cannibalism. Keeping the chickens on wire floors instead of on litter increases cannibalism. Using sand instead of straw or wood shavings as litter increases cannibalism.

Low light levels can eliminate cannibalism. Birds become relatively inactive in dim light.

Giving the birds access to free range usually prevents cannibalism or, if already established, causes it to cease immediately. I have tried this several times, and it has always worked like magic.

The Wisconsin Experiment Station developed a "salt cure" in 1942 that is supposed to be 99% effective. For a single morning, replace the birds' usual water with water that has one tablespoon of salt added per gallon. Replace the salt water with fresh water in the afternoon. Repeat three days later.

Adding palatable, high-fiber feeds will discourage feather-picking. Whole or rolled oats, alfalfa hay, and alfalfa meal help prevent cannibalism from starting. Given the birds access to green range will of course provide vast quantities of palatable, high-fiber feeds, while also reducing crowding and increasing the vitamin and probably the protein level of the diet.

Sometimes flocks of pullets that are given free-choice grain will eat too much grain and become cannibalistic. I suspect that this is only true for confined flocks, and only for brief periods. At the first sign of cannibalism, cease feeding grain except for moderate amounts of oats.

Some poultry supply houses (such as Kuhl) sell "peepers" -- blinders for pheasants and chickens. This makes it hard for them to take aim at potential victims. Peepers are removalbe. I haven't tried them myself.

Many people swear by the "pine tar" method for birds that have had their tail feathers pulled out. Slather some pine tar (available at feed stores and garden supply stores) on the bare skin where the chicken is being pecked. It apparently tastes bad enough that pecking loses its appeal.