Hens pecking each other, I've tried everything- im feeling frustrated!

[alexa009]

I was able to sit and get a better look at the chicks this morning and I'm now thinking they aren't pecking sores, maybe just developing some redness. They are all sprawling out together in the run.
In my run there's about half that's grass/dirt and half that's wood chip area, dirt under both. I have straw and can add some, and considering letting them free range for an hour or two to try it out when we are all home.
Edited to ask: redness seems normal or not on this buffs face? She's 8 weeks

Yes, some chickens can get redness in their comb at an early age. My Delaware had a really red comb at 7 weeks old and turned out to be a hen.

 

[snow5164]

That looks like a healthy hen to me .. red combs and waddles signify a healthy bird .

 

[rosemarythyme]

As the chicks grow older the skin around the face will redden, so that 8 week old pullet looks normal. Picking issues will more likely show up as missing feathers (especially around the base of tail) or tears in the comb.

 

[aart]

Are you talking about the redness on the beak?
Everything else looks perfectly normal.



Have you seen the birds pecking each other?
Is this happening during the day or at night in coop?
Coop space is tight for 7 birds, run sounds OK tho.

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[Jenab26]

Are you talking about the redness on the beak?
Everything else looks perfectly normal.

View attachment 1523149

Have you seen the birds pecking each other?
Is this happening during the day or at night in coop?
Coop space is tight for 7 birds, run sounds OK tho.

Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!
View attachment 1523151

Yes the redness around the beak and the eye is what has developed quickly, wattle and comb have been red for a few weeks. I'm unsure if this is a hen or rooster.
I have not seen them pecking each other, the runt does try to peck at and snuggle under some of the bigger ones and they sometimes get irritated. I'm now thinking the others are possibly from them scratching themselves as it's only by the ear and not bad at all.
I have 2 I'm unsure of sex, if those are roosters we will find a different home, so hoping coop size should be good for 5-6 birds. Can't afford to upgrade quite yet. They did get a half HR of free range time tonight and chose to go back into the run so hopefully they will be happy.
Located in upstate NY, about a half HR from Canada, so our climate is very harsh. Updating my profile now!

 

[aart]

I have not seen them pecking each other,

Then I wouldn't be overly concerned.

Tho this seems drastic:

went to let them out one morning and she had a huge swollen open wound on her neck!

If wattles and comb turned that red a couple weeks ago(at ~6weeks old),
those may be your males and they might be sparring and pecking.

 

[Jenab26]

Then I wouldn't be overly concerned.

Tho this seems drastic:


If wattles and comb turned that red a couple weeks ago(at ~6weeks old),
those may be your males and they might be sparring and pecking.

Yes, I'm not sure what happened there, but she was definitely not in good shape...wound is healed now, although her growth seems to be stunted. They seem to be leaving her alone now though. I guess I'll just have to closely monitor them to see what's really going on.

Does anyone use a wifi video cam in the coop?

 

[Kfults]

Yes, I'm not sure what happened there, but she was definitely not in good shape...wound is healed now, although her growth seems to be stunted. They seem to be leaving her alone now though. I guess I'll just have to closely monitor them to see what's really going on.

Does anyone use a wifi video cam in the coop?

I do! I have app on my smart phone and can see them and it captures 3 sec video when it detects motion. Addictive!
Here is mine that had a peck wound for comparison