Flock of 7-10 wk old chicks strange bleeding above the beak- identical on all 10 birds!

[joannarashid]

I went out to check on my chicks this afternoon and every sing,e one of them has the exact same fresh bleeder where the comb meets the beak.

I have raised these 7-10 seekers all together without any problems. They are out in the coop with a small enclosed run accessible during the day. I put them out 2 weeks ago with a lamp in the coop since we have been having such warm weather.

At first I thought it was the top bird pecking all the others, but they all have the exact same injury. I can find not place in the coop or run with blood where they all might have sustained an injury. Behaviorally hey are alert and not acting strangely with one exception. They have been hanging out in the coop for the majority of the day despite pleasant 68 degree weather. Normally, they would all be out in the run durning the day. They are grouping together in the nesting boxes quite a lot.

See pic of injury. Note there is one on every single pullet.

 

[Amy S]

I wonder if they could be trying to get at things through the hardware cloth?

I used to care for finch, and we made an aviary out of hardware cloth. One of my birds like to stick his beak through the holes and rubbed him feathers off about his beak.

 

[joannarashid]

So I thought of that. A few days ago it rained and some water was on the hardware cloth. They all pecked at it presumably intrigued by the water. But they didn't get the injury then. Also, today it did not rain and has not for several days.

 

[Amy S]

Ah, ok. Well then I am stumped myself.

Hope the mystery is soon solved.

 

[joannarashid]

Ok so, i did find some blood on the hardware cloth where they may have all got this injury. Are tips on how to prevent them from doing that or treating the injury?

 

[Amy S]

Hmm, I wonder what they are after? Not sure what you could try to discourage the behavior. My guy eventually stopped after the newness of his new aviary wore off. It was a very odd phase, though. Heh.

Besides something like that, I was wondering if something maybe have irritated them while they were in the coop - causing them to lunge at it through the hardware cloth. Why does this cross my mind, you might ask? LOL I have a five year old little girl AND three young runner ducklings, who are well aware that she is to be tolerated with great concern.

Crossing my fingers that your chicks have no more incidents!

Oh, and, you flock is GORGEOUS!

 

[Amy S]

duplicate

 

[joannarashid]

Yes, I have a 5,4 and 3 yr-old. Thy were probably feedingthm things through the hardware cloth. If only children were as easy to raise as chickens. Sigh.

About the flock, thanks! I did a lot ofresecg on breeds ahead of time. We have:

1 Ameruacana
1 buff Orpington
1 Cuckoo Maran
1 light Brahma
1 BLR Wyandotte
1 barred rock
2 Russian orloffs
2 RIRs

It's a huge range but they are getting on well together.

 

[joannarashid]

Sorr typos galore!

 

[Aeropennchick]

Wow that is nearly identical to (part of) my wish list! Where were you able to get them? Did you order from somewhere?

I have been weighing my options for adding on (aren't we all) and I am worried about getting a small number of birds shipped, but can't figure out another way to ensure I get only one pullet of each desired breed of similar age