disaster

[donrae]

Thanks a lot for your help... i usually gives them a mixture of different food.. i give them rice with layer feed along with cracked corn chick feed as they have protein this sounds like the birds aren't getting enough protein. Rice and corn are lower protein foods and lower the overall percentage of protein. Go to strictly layer feed, or better yet higher protein chick feed for a month or so.

I'd be concerned about your lack of space and continued hatching. Sounds like you need to tone things back some until you get your flock healthy again, including enough space. I sympathize as I've also been bit by the hatching but, but my incubator is empty at the moment as I'm out of safe, healthy space for the birds.

 

[henroo]

Thanks for your help but i dont think space is much of a problem... there coop is quite large and there is only 3 chickens in there... in my other coop there is only 2 chickens... my 2 broodies with there clutch get to free range all day till they go to sleep...the 3 incubator chicks which are now about 10 weeks all also free range.. the problem is that i cant let all of them free range as there are quite a bit fighting amongst them... the roos fight so do the broodies trying to protect their clutch... and i have to be with them either to seperate them or protect my expensive plants that they are eating...

 

[henroo]

I will sell some of the chickens for more space.... i will also completely fence my yard so they can free range all day... i will also go towards ornamental breeds as they are small and beautiful besides i don't keep chickens for eggs but as a hobby... but the eggs they lay are most welcome...

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,

Have you considered putting blinders on them?
Yes, you can put chicken spectacles on them
which should stop the pecking until you get the problem solved.
You can buy them here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blinders_(poultry)
http://www.randallburkey.com/Blinders-Debeakers/products/12/
http://cutlersupply.com/zen_new51/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4
"We have also added a new clip-on peeper that requires no pin or c-clip and Neoprene Blinders."
Doesn't hurt the chickens at all. Doesn't interfere with their eating or drinking.
Best Success,
Karen in western PA, USA

 

[henroo]

Thank you... will try this if nothing else work...

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree with Mary...... what is your space situation? Bad habits are often due to over crowding, a lot of fighting is often due to over crowding. I myself have had a tense flock only to remove 2 head, and get a peaceful flock. And you are right, a peaceful flock is much more enjoyable.

Mrs K

 

[henroo]

As i've said above space is not of a problem.. they have more than enough space in their coop... i can tell for sure that this habit didn't start here... i think that they were already feather eaters but the person from which i bought them didn't tell me anything about this...all of them were bought as pullets hens cockerel and cock.. i will be selling my roos even if it is heartbreaking for me as i have gone attached to one of them... he is a real darling to me and his girls...

 

[pound4pound]

you can check this out http://www.strombergschickens.com/product/Nutri-Drench-32-Ounce/Poultry-Vitamins-Supplements

nutridench contains methionine. mix it in drinking water for 1 month, if situation improves 3x times a week alternate with clean water.