Dixie Chicks

[Beer can]

@Outpost JWB
Yuck! I've never had anything happen like that but I know my father had with his mixed breeds and RIR. He always had many, 50 or so, all free range all the time so I don't think space or diet was the issue. Anytime any of them had the slightest thing wrong with them the flock would eventually kill it. I remember he had one of his best broodies got a bit of a limp, dead a couple days latter. IMHO I think it has something to do with being a large flock, some sort of feral instinct makes them protect the flock from the weak or slow, they won't be able to pass on their inferior genes, survival of the fittest, only the strong survive.

 

[Alaskan]

Oh, trying something different with the call ducks. I'm assisting hatch a lot sooner. After being internally pipped overnight, I purebred the shell and pulled their heads out of the pip hole very carefully. So I didn't break any veins. Got it straight and cleaned the excessive fluid away from their heads. These seek much stronger than when I'd wait til the veins were almost died up.

I get the feeling that some words in the above were corrected to the wrong words... ..... can you repost it more clearly? I am a great meddling meddler....so really want to fully understand what you are saying.

WARNING!!!! IF YOU ARE EATING OR HAVE A SQUIMISH STOMACH, DO NOT READ THIS POST!!!!

You've been warned. We had a horrible thing happen yesterday and I'd like to know you opinions on correcting the problem. Or eliminating it. DH was mowing the grass & heard a ruckus from the pullet pen. These chickens have been aggressive. In that pen I have 20 pullets and cockrells purchased from feed store and local breeders. There are Cuckoo marans, Easter Eggers, Light Brahmas, Jersey Giants, and a handful of others. I was on my way home from work & little girl was on her way home from school. Anyhow, DH stopped the lawn mower, went over to see what the commotion was and discovered they were all ripping out the insides of an Easter Egger pullet. She was one of the biggest ones and I never seen her act weak, or had to pull her to "heal" from pecking. They had blood everywhere and was running around pulling out her insides while she was alive.

They were all in a frenzy like piranhas. DH had to pull them off of her and he was yelling and tossing them out of the pen and they were running around with intestines and such as if they were worms. I hate to cull all these chickens, but I also do not want this sort of aggression in my flock. I work late today, so I will have this morning to observe them. I should add that they had plenty of water, they were fed at 7am, but was out of food when I got home (4pm). They also may be a slight bit overcrowded, but not bad overcrowded. 15 others had already been pulled and put in another pen to heal from pecking. We also let them out in a fence area daily to "free range". Usually from 2pm-8pm or 4pm-8pm, whenever I get home. Ever heard anything like this? I am puzzled and ticked off as well. By the way, we went ahead & culled the pullet to put her out of her misery.

First

and

OK.... my thoughts...

1. I think that not having feed accessible at all times can increase the chances of bad stuff happening. I REALLY like my garbage can turned into a feeder... super handy, and it holds almost 3 full 50 pound bags of feed. Look through the pictures on the feeder thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...te-5-gallon-25-feed-bucket-feeder-for-about-3

2. I have found with my chickens that they do tend to be less cannibalistic the more space that they have. I think that the multiple levels in my coop help, and the fact that I have tried to design my coop with as few "get stuck in a corner" spots as possible (but yes, I have some, since my buildings are not round) as well as various areas that lower pecking order chickens can run off to. One thing I do is always have some super high perches, that only the flighty ones can reach.

3. However, I also agree with Beer Can, that sometimes they just go cannibal, even with perfect ideal management.

I found a dead partridge chantecler in the coop this morning

her body looks fine, no broken neck, not body damage. Her "bum" looks bigger then I thought it should be. All the chickens (minus broody) were out free ranging last night. not sure what happened. This one laid nice big eggs, always in the 60g range.

I would guess that one of those big eggs got stuck, or cracked internally, or something like that.

So

and

for you too! I really like that color hen!

@Outpost JWB
Yuck! I've never had anything happen like that but I know my father had with his mixed breeds and RIR. He always had many, 50 or so, all free range all the time so I don't think space or diet was the issue. Anytime any of them had the slightest thing wrong with them the flock would eventually kill it. I remember he had one of his best broodies got a bit of a limp, dead a couple days latter. IMHO I think it has something to do with being a large flock, some sort of feral instinct makes them protect the flock from the weak or slow, they won't be able to pass on their inferior genes, survival of the fittest, only the strong survive.

Yep, those sweet snuggly chickens can be super impressively ruthless.

 

[perchie.girl]

YEP.... hence the rule of thumb... if you are going to pass out in the run fall face first.... 'cuz eyes is shiny....

deb

 

[Alaskan]

yep, I have tried to snuggle chickens.... and had to suddenly protect my eyes....

eyes must look like slugs, all kids of yummy

Actually, my super laid back fluffy teddy bear chicks (my black copper Marans) went all feeding frenzy when they noticed some blood spots on their paper towels... and they weren't even a week old yet! They went from sweet quiet and laid back fluff balls to

OH! BLOOD! YUMMY! WHERE DID IT GO? WHERE DID IT GO? MINE! MY BLOOD! GIMME!

 

[minihorse927]

I am not sure, I'll ask her when I sent her my hatch results.

just checked my coop for eggs.. broody was off her nest. I hope that isn't a bad sign. Instead I got attacked by my EE who was in there doing her thing. learned my lesson a while ago, don't reach in unless hands are protected.

How much longer can the ducklings be in the incubator? the last 3 have internally pipped, thinking they'll be another 48 hrs...

ok, and I'd pull them out and feed/water them after 48 (maximum) hours of being hatched.

 

[BriardChickens]

ok, and I'd pull them out and feed/water them after 48 (maximum) hours of being hatched.

so it would be a good time to try and let my broody be a mom now...? they are an active little bunch!

Hopefully the other 3 will hatch soon and then I would give her more when the rest are fluffy?

 

[minihorse927]

Oh, trying something different with the call ducks. I'm assisting hatch a lot sooner. After being internally pipped overnight, I popped the top of the shell and pulled their heads out of the pip hole very carefully. So I didn't break any veins. Got their neck straight and cleaned the excessive fluid away from their heads. These seem much stronger than when I'd wait til the veins were almost dried up.

@AlaskanI believe I fixed everything.

 

[minihorse927]

so it would be a good time to try and let my broody be a mom now...? they are an active little bunch!

Hopefully the other 3 will hatch soon and then I would give her more when the rest are fluffy?

I'd wait and give all the Ducklings at once. Got a brooder to use temporarily?

 

[Alaskan]

ooh! brilliant! @minihorse927 very interesting!

 

[Alaskan]

I have found that you can add chicks (I haven't tried ducklings) at different times, BUT the later additions need to be the same colors as the first additions.