Hello friends, I am at a loss for what is going on in my flock, but there is sudden blood shed between many of my birds! The agitation & pecking started big time yesterday & has continued on today. They have plenty of room & are entertained, I believe.
This is only my 2nd winter with chickens. Last year I had 3 birds and this year I have 25 birds: 1 old hen (the boss) & an old rooster, the remaining 23 are 8 & 9 months old. I have 3 or 4 hens of each breed: barred rocked, red cross, RIR, buff orpington, dark brahma, 2 bantum leghorn hens & 1 bantum rooster. They have peacefully co-habitated & created 3 sub-flocks within the group, we call the A, B & C groups. The older rooster does an excellent job protecting & providing for the ladies and the bantum rooster is learning from him. No issues between roosters at all- it's the ladies that are fighting.
During the non-snow weather, the chickens free range all day, every day, around many acres of woods. With the snow, they still have ample room to roam in and around a 20x 40' barn, and we snow plow trails for them to walk along & pick grass. We also have set up the barn with chicken playground/ obstacle areas and added a tree we cut down for them. I have been giving extra greens & some oats to further entertain them.
Not sure this is where it began, but the bantum rooster has been injuring, while trying to mate, the big girls the past few weeks. He will grab them by their combs and try to yank them down to the ground. When this happens, we treat the bleeding comb with Blue Kote & there is no problem. He has no interest in mating the bantum hens
which would work out fine. Two days ago, he tore a RIR's unusually floppy comb and there was drops of blood all over the snow- which we covered- however the choas between all of the birds started the following day.
Yesterday, we found 1 of the brahmas with facial/ head wounds, treated her, then watched closely. Some hens continued to peck her, but then we realized they were also pecking each other! In general, it seems that the brahmas are pecking brahmas, the orpingtons are pecking other orpingtons, RIR pecking RIR etc. The birds will jump in the air while fighting with each other & puffing up their feathers. I have NEVER had them do this! Is this normal?!? The most injured, a brahma, has been kicked out of the A & B sub-flocks, but does not seem to give up trying to hang out with them. About 15 of the 25 birds are displaying aggressive pecking behavior toward each other. Distracting with treats has worked short term, but then the group goes back to pecking each other, even while they forage around the melted areas.
Until now, the flock has been so peaceful! The snow melted a bit a few days ago, maybe they have spring fever? I don't know. I have no problem letting them re-establishing a pecking order, but with the bleeding injuries it has become a problem. From what I have read, the chickens will continue to peck a wound if left untreated, correct? The old boss hen stays out of the drama, maybe the 1st year chicks are not adjusting well to winter? Any ideas of what to do are REALLY appreciated. Thanks in advance!
This is only my 2nd winter with chickens. Last year I had 3 birds and this year I have 25 birds: 1 old hen (the boss) & an old rooster, the remaining 23 are 8 & 9 months old. I have 3 or 4 hens of each breed: barred rocked, red cross, RIR, buff orpington, dark brahma, 2 bantum leghorn hens & 1 bantum rooster. They have peacefully co-habitated & created 3 sub-flocks within the group, we call the A, B & C groups. The older rooster does an excellent job protecting & providing for the ladies and the bantum rooster is learning from him. No issues between roosters at all- it's the ladies that are fighting.
During the non-snow weather, the chickens free range all day, every day, around many acres of woods. With the snow, they still have ample room to roam in and around a 20x 40' barn, and we snow plow trails for them to walk along & pick grass. We also have set up the barn with chicken playground/ obstacle areas and added a tree we cut down for them. I have been giving extra greens & some oats to further entertain them.
Not sure this is where it began, but the bantum rooster has been injuring, while trying to mate, the big girls the past few weeks. He will grab them by their combs and try to yank them down to the ground. When this happens, we treat the bleeding comb with Blue Kote & there is no problem. He has no interest in mating the bantum hens
Yesterday, we found 1 of the brahmas with facial/ head wounds, treated her, then watched closely. Some hens continued to peck her, but then we realized they were also pecking each other! In general, it seems that the brahmas are pecking brahmas, the orpingtons are pecking other orpingtons, RIR pecking RIR etc. The birds will jump in the air while fighting with each other & puffing up their feathers. I have NEVER had them do this! Is this normal?!? The most injured, a brahma, has been kicked out of the A & B sub-flocks, but does not seem to give up trying to hang out with them. About 15 of the 25 birds are displaying aggressive pecking behavior toward each other. Distracting with treats has worked short term, but then the group goes back to pecking each other, even while they forage around the melted areas.
Until now, the flock has been so peaceful! The snow melted a bit a few days ago, maybe they have spring fever? I don't know. I have no problem letting them re-establishing a pecking order, but with the bleeding injuries it has become a problem. From what I have read, the chickens will continue to peck a wound if left untreated, correct? The old boss hen stays out of the drama, maybe the 1st year chicks are not adjusting well to winter? Any ideas of what to do are REALLY appreciated. Thanks in advance!
