Chicken getting Pecked Raw! Help!!

[Chlo's chickens!!]

I'm guessing they are crowded and need more protein.
You may need to isolate the injured bird, where they can all see each other but not touch, if the others are pecking at the wounds.

Okay, thank you for the advice! Since it is ver cold out, do you think it would still be fine if it was alone? I will try to get a better pic like I said! Thanks again!

 

[aart]

How cold is very cold?
Where are you located?
Look on the tag sen into bottom of feed bag and see what the protein percentage is.

I use these to isolate a bird, she'll be warm enough as long as she is dry and out of the wind.

Pic taken before adding feed and water containers:

 

[Chlo's chickens!!]

How cold is very cold?
Where are you located?
Look on the tag sen into bottom of feed bag and see what the protein percentage is.

I use these to isolate a bird, she'll be warm enough as long as she is dry and out of the wind.

Pic taken before adding feed and water containers:

We live in Indiana, but we have had some nights were it has gotten into the teens. As winter goes on though, it gets much colder. I will have to check on the protein percentage.

 

[junebuggena]

Sorry, I meant the run is 80 square feet and I woud say the coop is about 20-30 square feet. We feed them layer pellet feed. We give them 2-3 small cups of cracked corn on some nights depending on the temp. The one getting pecked is a Rode Island Red. I have 6, two are Rode Island Reds, two are Buff orpingtons, and the other two are Plymoth Barred Rocks. I will try to get better pic, but it has very few feathers and has a raw spot that looks like it was once bleeding. Any ideas would very well be appriciated!! Thanks!

So it's not crowding. Layer feed usually has about 16% protein content, and too much corn will dilute that amount. 2 to 3 cups of corn is a LOT for only 6 hens. Protein deficiency might be part of your issue. They don't really need the extra calories in corn if they are already acclimated to temps. Barred Rocks tend to be very active and inquisitive birds, and if they aren't kept occupied can become problematic. I suggest switching to feed with at least 18% protein content, not feeding excessive amounts of corn, and making their environment more enriched. Give them things to do so they can work out their energy rather than taking it out on flock members. A pile of hay can keep them occupied for days. You can hang heads of cabbage for them to peck at, or make a puzzle treat by poking some holes in a plastic bottle and put the corn inside.

 

[coach723]

Waiting for a better picture of the wound itself to suggest anything for that.
My question is about your roost layout. Often times pecking can happen during the 'battle' for roost space. Once there is a wound it's just a magnet for more pecking. If your roosts are all at the same level and close together that may be a problem. Spacing them farther apart or changing elevations can make a difference and get them so they aren't so 'nose to rear' with each other. Every group of chickens is different in personality and temperament so what works for one group may not work for another, you may need to experiment to find what works for you and your group. I've modified my roosts several times based on changes in my flock. If the roosting area is the issue you can also modify with dividing roosts with something to make sort of short walls to separate into halves or thirds depending on your set up. Sometimes having a small shield for the lower pecking order bird to hide behind helps, you just don't want to make it a place they can be cornered. Trying to find pictures of what I'm talking about.......will post if I find some. Just putting that out there since I don't know what your set up looks like.

 

[aart]

So it's not crowding.

Would like coop size confirmed........sounded like guesses to me.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

loosing feathers on its back end... raw and starting to bleed....I am very worried that they could end up getting injured very bad....going to be gone tomorrow... has very few feathers and has a raw spot that looks like it was once bleeding.

I agree with the previous posts - better photos will be very helpful.
Even though it's nighttime and she is roosting with the others, if you are going to be gone all day tomorrow - it would be best to take her off the roost to determine how much damage she has. Could be that she has a broken blood feather and just needs a quick wipe with a damp paper towel and a dab of Blu Kote to hide any redness. But you never know until you take a look - sometimes extensive damage or even a prolapse can be hidden beneath fluff.

@aart has added some very good photos and suggestions about separating an injured chicken - if this is something you can do that would be another option until you can give her more attention. A dog kennel is something I've found to be very handy.

Please keep us posted.

 

[Kathy Golla]

I can't see the issue clearly in the pic but I have a BO hen with a very fluffy butt. Her feces stick to her feathers around her vent and cause pulling on the skin.
Sometimes if other hens can see the redness on her rump they will peck it.
If u think this might be it either give her a bath (dry her with hair dryer), or cut the feces off of the feathers and lube the area so things won't stick and keep a good eye on it.
Make sure you don't put alcohol or antiseptic or hydrogen peroxide on it, anything that will burn.
We just use aquaphor ointment.

 

[Chlo's chickens!!]

Would like coop size confirmed........sounded like guesses to me.

I will try to get better pics when it becomes daylight and also try to get exact square footage. I will also put a better picture of the roosting layout. Thank ou all for the information! I will put better pics in few!!

 

[aart]

also try to get exact square footage.

Take your tape measure out there Width Length Height.