Help! Heat & pecking

[phiababy87]

We live in California and my girls (5 are almost 2yrs & 6 week olds) are experiencing their first heat wave. I have a huge Bowl of water (for old ones) with ice threw out frozen corn for the kids. I have ice in the babies water jug. The last few days the heat has been humid and in the 105. I’ve kept the girls in the coop for the last few days and noticed BOOTS is missing feather on her wings. At first I picked her up and started looking for bugs which I didn’t see any lice or mites. As I was throwing them corn had seen one of the main bossy girls peck her.

is the heat making them crazy? The girls get plenty of food, treats, worms, and fresh water.

Here is picture of boots & their kennel. They typically have enough room and I have never had an issue with them pecking.

 

[AidKD]

I don't think it's heat related. It sounds like a minor pecking order injury. With not letting your girls out they could be going a little stir crazy. Try letting them out in the evening time when it's not quite so hot. I'm sure things will start getting better once they have something to do.

 

[phiababy87]

I don't think it's heat related. It sounds like a minor pecking order injury. With not letting your girls out they could be going a little stir crazy. Try letting them out in the evening time when it's not quite so hot. I'm sure things will start getting better once they have something to do.

I let them out once I had seen boots condition and will put them back in before I go back to work. They have access to their coop & water if need be. boots is normally the one that gets pecked or bullied.. who knows why she’s the biggest bird I have.

 

[AidKD]

I let them out once I had seen boots condition and will put them back in before I go back to work. They have access to their coop & water if need be. boots is normally the one that gets pecked or bullied.. who knows why she’s the biggest bird I have.

It may just be pecking order. If things start to get to bad you could 'restart' them. That's whenever you take out the girls at the top or the order for a few days then put them back in. This will 'restart' them and they will be at the bottom of the order.

 

[Weeg]

Try putting blue kote on her "wound" this is a antibacterial spray that is a very dark indigo, so it covers any area that is getting pecked or exposed. It will help not to show her weak spots. You can also consider putting toys in the r if you think boredom is the problem! A good homemade toy is a chicken swing. It kinda depends on your chicken though if the will care for it or not. There are plenty of articles on homemade boredom buster for hens thought! Try separating the culprit for the reason that @AidKD suggested. Good luck, Avery