Chick Murder

[midgeelkelly]

I have eight chicks in a bin, two red, two black, two white americanas, and two turkey chicks. Purchased on the same day, kept together going on three weeks. No problems. I heard some loud chirping in the middle of the night but disregarded it. This morning I found the two white chicks at opposite corners of the bin both dead with blood all around their vents. They had clearly been attacked. Did the turkeys do this? I find it curious that it was only the white ones. And why the vent area. What does this mean. How do I proceed. I have separated the turkeys out for now.

 

[sourland]

Sorry for the problem. It may have been the turkeys, or it may have been all of the birds. Pecking/cannibalism generally happens when birds are overcrowded.

 

[Canina]

If I hear distress calls from chicks I respond. How big was the bin to have so many chicks and differing species. I also think white birds might be more susceptible to pecking because once they have a small blood spot or something it stands out against their feathers and makes them even more of a target.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I don't think it was the Turkeys. I've raised turkeys, & chicks together a few times.

Can you get a picture of your set up?