Hens Pecking

[bobby2170]

Hi everyone, I have a flock of 4 hens (1 Isa Brown, 1 EE, 1 White Leghron, 1 Barred Rock) and I have noticed that the isa brown and leghorn have started pecking my EE. My flock had issues with pecking last year when we had 8 hens. 2 died and we had to kill 2 because of it. These 4 also had a pecking issue but we gave them a higher protein feed and it seemed to stop. We have a 72 sq ft run and we let them out after work everyday. What can we do to stop this issue for good?

 

[rosemarythyme]

How much room do they have in the coop per bird? And what's in the run, if anything, for them to keep occupied with? It might help the picked bird to have spaces to get away from the others inside the run, whether it's something to hide behind to hop up on.

 

[Three chickens]

I had two leghorn 5 month old pullets just starting to lay. Started picking my other birds and I had to give them away. I hated to see them go.

 

[Three chickens]

Your run is good size. Hope someone chimes in here. I was wondering the same thing.

 

[chickens really]

You have two Hybrid layers....The Leghorn and the Isa Brown....They require 18% protein layer feed....If your providing any other food daily it dilutes the quality of the feed..Free range also unbalances the feed....

Picking can be caused by this....

Too hot
Too crowded
Short of fresh air
Lack of protein or the Coop is too brightly lit......

In your case I think its a protein issue........Up the protein to 18% and restrict the snacks to once a week and shorten the free range time to 1 hour a day....I am sure you will see an improvement...

Best wishes...


Cheers!

 

[aart]

Hi everyone, I have a flock of 4 hens (1 Isa Brown, 1 EE, 1 White Leghron, 1 Barred Rock) and I have noticed that the isa brown and leghorn have started pecking my EE. My flock had issues with pecking last year when we had 8 hens. 2 died and we had to kill 2 because of it. These 4 also had a pecking issue but we gave them a higher protein feed and it seemed to stop. We have a 72 sq ft run and we let them out after work everyday. What can we do to stop this issue for good?

How big is the coop they are cooped up (haha) in all day long?
Is your run not secure enough to give them all day access?
Are you still feeding a higher protein feed?

 

[bobby2170]

they're in the run all day, we let them out to free range later in the day

 

[aart]

they're in the run all day, we let them out to free range later in the day

Ahhh..sorry, mis-interpreted your post.