First timer encounters cannibalism? Get rid of the peck-happy hens?

[Cheralee]

Hi. I started raising Australorps this spring and while I now know what and where we went wrong, I am still shaken by this morning's events. We have 53 birds, 52 Australorps and a Buff Polish he/she (we still couldn't determine the gender). After the "boys" began showing maturation markers, I tried to separate the genders as best as I could tell. The guys went into a tractor in the yard and the "girls" stayed inside the enclosure we had built for them. The outside chickens quickly learned to to look forward to my visits and all cluster around me when I am feeding and watering them, all behaviors I looked forward to with this breed. They are sweet and come when I call. It made me sad to think they were the ones destined for the freezer. I did mistakenly place 3 hens with them, but from the looks of it, they aren't being beaten up and generally seem to be a happy flock.
If I talked about the hens, though, it's a different story. With daily trips outside and nights spend in the garage, I tried to recreate the schedule they would have when their coop is built. But I am constantly separating birds to heal from pecking, bloody tail feathers being pulled, etc. They have more room than the outside chickens, better access to food and water (free access for both flocks all the time, regardless)....I am at my wits' end. We moved them into a similar tractor outside on Sunday. I realized that they would need time adjusting as they were running around like naked children (Whee!) and didn't cluster around like my "boy" flock. There were 4-5 cockerels that must have developed late, because they were left in this group. When I went to feed and water them this morning, I found the Polish chicken and a rooster dead. I am aware of the facts of life. This stuff happens. But I can't help feeling that keeping hens from the "tainted" flock would be a bad idea. Better to start my permanent flock from the few happy hens and a rooster from the ones who are friendly and just send ALL of the peck-happy birds to the processor. Thoughts?

 

[Pele]

I'm sorry that this is happening to you, it must be stressful.

There are a lot of factors that can lead to this, but usually the biggest factor is boredom/large numbers in confined quarters.

You probably have only a few instigators that are causing the majority of your trouble, so I wouldn't consider your entire flock 'tainted'. Watch your girls, and how they interact. Pull up a chair and a book if they take a while to settle down wiht you present. Eventually the culprits won't be able to help themselves, and will start in again.

Cull the pickers that you observe. You can try to do only a temporary isolation cull, and put them back in with the flock after two weeks, or you can freezer camp them.

If you are feeling ambitious, you can outfit your flock with Pinless Peepers (which look hysterical too).

Lastly, put something in for them to peck at that isn't each other. Chickens are going to peck. Period. Your 'flock steward' job is to get them to peck constructively (ie at food or inanimate objects you won't miss). Flock Bloc is really good stuff, because it takes them forever to finish, and makes them fat and sassy. Hang a cabbage inside the pen, and you'll be entertained too.

Good luck, I hope things improve for you.

 

[Cheralee]

Thanks for the advice! I had used the cabbage wedges when they were still little as an alternative, but didn't even think about putting them in the tractor when they went outside. I was so worn out catching them, I was just happy to have them in one place. I'll definitely get that done. Watching them sounds like a plan, too. I was just so surprised at the death of a rooster. I had read and observed that the Polish would be pretty low on the pole (she was) but the rooster I was definitely surprised at. I will keep you posted.