Chickens pecking each other: How do I stop them?

[KaseySnow]

You guys. They don't stay out in the green area. There will be no posts made into the "long fencing," haha. I feel like I've said this so much in this thread. That is just the yard where I let them out to graze, that fence is just supposed to keep them from pooping in the rest of the backyard, it's not supposed to be predator proof. They are not free range chickens, they are only let out when someone is outside.

Here is a tracing of the full run since the tree shadow makes it hard to see. I do agree it could probably be bigger, but I don't think it's quite as bad as some of you think.

I was thinking of suggesting to her that she separate the barrred Rocs. The other four are just so sweet, and those Rocs are the only ones that peck super hard when you hand feed them. The smaller Roc also pecks me constantly; fingers, toes, freckles, anything she can get close enough too. I feel like she might be the main culprit. I may tell them they should consider culling her and see if the pecking stops.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

how about some blucote ? and upping protein (just in case) What feed are they on ?
Sure theres no rooster in there ?

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Chickens peck. Its what they do. We/I understand the space for them and its not enough for 6 chickens. Eggcessive was stating that the rest of the fencing Could be made into a run for them but its not predator proof.

 

[KaseySnow]

Does blu kote stop the pecking/deter them from pecking or just heal the wound? I was looking at that, Peck-no-more, and Nu stock. But I've read mixed reviews on their ability to actually stop the pecking, though they all seem to heal the skin just fine.

And yes, I'm sure there's no rooster, haha. They've had them long enough that if one was a rooster it would've been made clear. They did have one rooster out of the batch of chicks that they had to cull when it started crowing, haha, so I assume if there were any other roosters they would've made themselves known by now. That was months and months ago.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

they peck at red. Blucote hides that and will deter them from pecking. As far as your cabbage, I dont know HOW its done but peeps hand the whole head . I think it makes it harder to peck right up.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

and sometimes when there is no rooster a hen will take on the roll right up to trying to mate them and taking the feathers off their backs in that same pattern.

 

[KaseySnow]

I read somewhere that the blue kote works best on dark chickens, will it still work on these little red girls? I am pretty broke and don't want to go spend money on something that won't work. I have about $20 left in my budget right now, so I will probably only get one shot to fix it. The owners return on the 15th of June and I'll certainly let them know what you guys recommend if that doesn't work.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Some natural branches in the run will give them something new to explore. a small and low homemade swing . stuff to climb, jump on. Check out TSC backyard play area for chickens.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

I read somewhere that the blue kote works best on dark chickens, will it still work on these little red girls? I am pretty broke and don't want to go spend money on something that won't work. I have about $20 left in my budget right now, so I will probably only get one shot to fix it. The owners return on the 15th of June and I'll certainly let them know what you guys recommend if that doesn't work.

I cant make promises because they are in too small a run. Its supposed to help. I dont have personal experience

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Since their not your chickens and they will be back in a week what I would do: new roosts/branches=free, Cabbage head hanging, a flock block set it on a piece of wood bigger then it it. $12.00