Feather pecking

[Fort Clux]

My new chicks, mail ordered are all 4 weeks old now and one has taken to pecking other chicks. This started last week, just after we moved them to a bigger pen. We have 2 types , Creme Leg Barrs and Black Copper Marans. One of the BCM's has been pecking the backs of the other chickens, but not her own kind. We thought they may be bored so we've moved them outside so they can do more interesting things and isolated the pecker. After 5 days of being isolated I tried putting her with the flock again and she immediately went to feather pecking again. Everyone else does just fine. Don't know what to do to stop this bad habit.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How big is their new area? Did you spray the pecked ones with bluekote? I find putting them down immediately with the bluekote being wet can give them a bad taste if they peck them right away.

What are you feeding them? Could be a protein deficiency. Try adding some scrambled eggs daily to up the protein.

If it continues I would keep it separated much longer and potentially might cull if it continues.

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed. If protein is good, and they have adequate space, you just might have a bird with a loose screw. How many birds, how big is their coop/run? What are the dimensions?

 

[Fort Clux]

There are 19 total chicks being transferred from outside pen that is 4'X8' with an upstairs coop about 1/2 the size, into one inside the house about 4'X8'. Well 18 now. They are eating organic grower starter. We give them meal worms for extra protein. We are building a much bigger coop that will be 16'X25' but its not done yet. I didn't try blukote yet because I didn't want to kote 18 chicks because of just the one. When I put her back in today she pecked the hens she hasn't pecked yet. Which kind of surprised me.

 

[Fort Clux]

I thought maybe it was boredome so they have roosts now too. They are getting so big so fast!

 

[theoldchick]

This little trouble maker needs to be sent down the road. As a last resort you can try pinless peepers (chicken blinders), though she might be too small.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are they out on grass or ground during the day at least. That size is still tight for that many. They need room to really run and stuff to dig and scratch at, roosts aren't enough at their age to burn off extra energy.

 

[lazy gardener]

There are 19 total chicks being transferred from outside pen that is 4'X8' with an upstairs coop about 1/2 the size, into one inside the house about 4'X8'. Well 18 now. They are eating organic grower starter. We give them meal worms for extra protein. We are building a much bigger coop that will be 16'X25' but its not done yet. I didn't try blukote yet because I didn't want to kote 18 chicks because of just the one. When I put her back in today she pecked the hens she hasn't pecked yet. Which kind of surprised me.

You are building a COOP (building with walls, roof, doors/windows) that is 16 x 25, or is that their run (a fenced in area)????