Entire flock has lacerations on their noses

[JPchicken]

I went out to check on my 7 week old chicks today, and was alarmed to see that everyone has cuts and blood on their noses. A few even have some of their comb removed. The most obvious answer for this would be they were attempting to escape the cage and cut their Ceres on the hardware cloth.

As soon as I saw the injuries, I moved them to a different run... And all were alarmingly docile and willing to be picked up and moved.

1 )Should I get some antibiotic/antiseptic to put on the wounds?
2) how do I discourage this behavior?!?

 

[Folly's place]

I think that something (someone!) scared them last night, likely a predator of some sort. Is your coop really safe? No openings larger than 1/2" anywhere? Look hard today at your setup, maybe post some pictures, and make sure they are in a really safe place tonight.
Those scrapes look minor, just watch them.
Mary

 

[JPchicken]

Thanks, Mary! They have been sleeping inside in their brooder box because the coop isn't 100% ready. We're going to go over the coop/run thoroughly tonight. I was thinking maybe their feeder is the culprit.... It looks something like this, and perhaps they were trying to dig to get food. https://images.app.goo.gl/XebEmhhTRsCt969n9

Now I'm worried to leave them unattended!

 

[Eggcessive]

They probably have scraped beaks on fencing or sharp edges on a feeder or waterer. Agreed that it might have been from fright, but you should check for sharp edges and look for the cause. Pictures of your setup certainly will help us to make suggestions. 1/2 inch hardware cloth is best to predator-proof your coop and run. Any fencing can be sharp on tender beaks developing if they are trying to escape from something that has scared them. Betadine (also called Equate First Aid Antiseptic at WalMart in the first aid aisle) is good to dab on the cuts. Sometimes you have to wait until they are sleeping on the roost to handle them for treatment.

 

[JPchicken]

Here's the coop! Thanks for the suggestion at Walmart!
Poor Lizzie's got it the worst....

 

[Eggcessive]

Nice coop and tractor. I would suspect either the feeder if the edges are sharp or the hardware cloth. The feeder could be filed if it is sharp. The hardware cloth is necessary though, but it can be sharp if they are jumping against it.

 

[JPchicken]

Great idea....I will file the feeder!