Can't figure out what is killing my young chickens! Please help

[cheryl0423]

I have young chickens that are being killed. When I find them, the recum has been eaten out, with no other damage. The killings are happening in the daytime...........???? I can't figure out what is killing them. Is it possible the other chickens are doing this?

 

[Teresaann24]

it could very well be the other chickens doing it. Does not sound like any Predator I have heard of to do that.
What are they kept in?
If they do not have enough space this could be the cause.

What feed are they eating?
If they are not getting the right foods they could be lacking something.

 

[nzpouter]

canibalism, lack of protein or boredom...

 

[sourland]

possibly overcrowded?

 

[cheryl0423]

Thank you for responding, I spent the biggest part of the day watching them. It is the other chickens doing it. It is like a mob mentality, once blood is drawn they all attack. I had to separate the injuried one today. I went ahead and just let them out to free range, they are big enough just left plenty of hiding boxes for them. This seemed to calm everyone down. They were doing thier normal pecking order arguements, but once injured I guess they dramatically fell to the bottom of the whole ladder. Perhaps now they have more room to roam and chase bugs, they wont worry about each other as much. The older hens checked them out and went on their way, so no problem with the bigger ones.