Help please. I am new to chickens.

[Sunshine Chick 1]

I have 6 three week old chicks. They have living in a cage in my garage till the coop is done and they are older. When I just went out to check on them cause I do several times a day. One is bleeding from his tail feathers and the others were pecking at it there. We separated the one from the others and they are chirping like crazy now and another one is starting to pull out her tail feathers. What is going on with these chicks? I am a newbie. What does this mean and what should I do? Thanks

 

[mistylady]

Go to the farm supply and get some ointment to stop the pecking. I put neosporin on my chickens booboos before I put peck stop on them. It sounds like maybe your cage is too small for them and they are starting to fight. Thats the only thing I can think of but maybe some one else can help more. Good luck!

 

[elliemay0305]

they could be stressed. but you need to stop them right away or they can become cannials. chicks will peck at anything red. thats why most water bases are red. you did the right thing by separating them. maybe you can try putting one more in with that one to calm it down? just watch and make sure the pecking dont start again.

 

[LynneP]

What is their feed?
yes, separate and give us details...they should have starter blend

 

[Sunshine Chick 1]

Yes they are on a starter feed that we got from the feed store when we bought them. Our feed store is not open on Sundays, but will try the neuosporn. (sp) Thanks for the advice.

 

[jjthink]

If you use neosporin, use the original formula WITHOUT the pain relief ingredient.
JJ

 

[Ridgerunner]

As the others have mentioned, you need to separate and treat.

As to why they are pecking, the brooder may be too hot or it may be too crowded. They are getting bigger and may need more room. Do you use a red light or a white light? A red light keeps them much calmer.

Their feathers are growing in and may have blood in them. They may be pecking at the red shafts of the feathers. The red light will help if this is the case.

Watch and see if it is one specific chick starting the pecking. After the other chick starts to bleed, they will all join in, but often one chick will start it. If that is the case, you can try separating the perpetrator for a while.

Chicks are social animals. They really get lonely and will let you know it with their chirping. It can be loud as they are trying to get the attention of the others. If you can, when you separate them keep them in site of each other. You can put a mirror in with a lonely chick so its reflection can keep it company. A feather duster or small stuffed animal (as long as it cannot pull the fur off to eat it) will also work.

Blood has been drawn, so you do need to act. It can be frustrating to try to find out what the problem really is. Good luck!

Just a few suggestions. The red light is probably your best bet.

 

[wings]

The only things I can think of are:

1. Not enough space.

2. Something wrong with food (type or amount).

3. Bordom.

I understand how overwhelming it is to be a newbie with chickens, but you just have to relax. Most of this stuff is just common sense. The rest: BYC can help you with.

 

[rebeccamariemiller]

There is a spray that is called Hotpeck that will prevent them from
becoming canabals.

 

[Sunshine Chick 1]

Thank you for all the suggestions. We have 6 maybe 7-8 week older ones and have them out in a rabbit cage. We have not mixed all 12 yet. These little ones are still in our garage. We live in Florida and it has been in the high 80's so we have not had a light on them in about a week and half. Our coop is almost done. Some minor things inside and putting the nexting boxes in then just the wire. So we are hoping to finish that up in the next couple of days to move the older ones outside there.