Canninal/suicidal chick

[gemd]

Just noticed one leghorn chick has a bloody wing (where an armpit would be on a human), well both her wings and a nearly pecked bare neck. But she seems to be doing some damage to herself, obviously she cant peck her neck though. I put some neosporin and purple food coloring on her. I've shaken the brooder when she pecks herself. They are getting feathers but imho she shouldn't look so bad off. Help please. I tried to isolate her but she just cried and cried.

 

[sourland]

How many chicks, how much space do they have, and what are you feeding them ?

 

[gemd]

Just noticed one leghorn chick has a bloody wing (where an armpit would be on a human), well both her wings and a nearly pecked bare neck. But she seems to be doing some damage to herself, obviously she cant peck her neck though. I put some neosporin and purple food coloring on her. I've shaken the brooder when she pecks herself. They are getting feathers but imho she shouldn't look so bad off. Help please. I tried to isolate her but she just cried and cried.

 

[MGG]

Poor thing! Have you checked her for mites/lice? What protein percentage is their feed, and what are you feeding them?

 

[gemd]

I dont see any mites or bigs that I can see. They are in an 18"×24" heated area a d have a tunnel to a slightly larger non heated area they occasionally explore. They are eating purina premium flock raise crumbles

 

[MGG]

Maybe you should try raising the protein level by feeding scrambled eggs every few days or something. Feathers are a source of protein, and when birds are lacking protein they eat feathers. I feed flock raiser too and I never had any problems with it.

 

[chickens really]

Boredom, poor ventilation, not enough space..
How many birds in a Brooder?

 

[gemd]

I am wondering if it is stress or molting or both? She keeps pecking at herself and preeening voilently. They are all molting/growing more feathers at 3 weeks-ish. separating her- will it make her more stressed out or less?

 

[MGG]

I am wondering if it is stress or molting or both? She keeps pecking at herself and preeening voilently. They are all molting/growing more feathers at 3 weeks-ish. separating her- will it make her more stressed out or less?

Well, it might help, but it might stress her out. Can you just put a wire divider in the brooder so it can still see and hear the other chicks?