How to reduce unwanted behavior?

[Swampy_9]

Hello! i am having a problem with my entire flock i am afraid.

Ever since my rooster got very sick to where he wasn't moving and Recovered he has come back with a punch. He's not mean, he's still pretty docile, i noticed that he does peck more at the hens he doesn't really like, But nothing that will seriously hurt them. We just got into nice weather so i assume maybe its that added on to it?

I know fighting can happen from time to time. But i noticed the entire flock has become more antsy if that's the word to use. When i go give them their food in the morning and the evening they are crowding and right now fighting. Luckily nothing serious, blood yes, But not absolutely maiming each other.

Like four or Five months ago i had two new hens, and while they get picked on the most, It is almost like all of them have been pecking each other even more? I don't know what this is or if i can fix it?

Maybe i should get more Feeders and waterers? or is it by chance the weather that is also messing with them since it gets really cold and then hot all of the sudden?

Anything at all will help.

 

[FrostRanger]

If blood is being drawn then it is serious. I would absolutely add more feeders and waterers and perhaps increase the amount of feed they're getting. Speaking of, what's their diet like (and how much proteinis in their feed) and how much space do they have in their coop and run?

 

[Tired old Rooster]

Hello! i am having a problem with my entire flock i am afraid.

We just got into nice weather so i assume maybe its that added on to it?

I know fighting can happen from time to time. But i noticed the entire flock has become more antsy if that's the word to use. When i go give them their food in the morning and the evening they are crowding and right now fighting. Luckily nothing serious, blood yes, But not absolutely maiming each other.

Like four or Five months ago i had two new hens, and while they get picked on the most, It is almost like all of them have been pecking each other even more? I don't know what this is or if i can fix it?

Maybe i should get more Feeders and waterers? or is it by chance the weather that is also messing with them since it gets really cold and then hot all of the sudden?

Anything at all will help.

Whole flock? Yes, a great disturbance in the force has happened. I know this, not because I am a character in a movie, but have had the same thing happen.

Number one, they need more food. Not all in the same place, spread out so the mean girl can't be everywhere at once chasing everyone away from HER food. Yes, you have a mean girl. Called a lead hen. I have a rooster to help me keep her under control, good roosters do that.

You got new hens, I got new chicks. Same thing. Big girls want to guard their place in the pecking order. Pecking heads happens all the time. Should never be excessive but often happens if crowded.

That is OK until blood happens. Then you have someone who needs to be removed either temporarily until they get their act together or until I can give you the number for bookings at the Svalbard hotel and resort.

 

[Ridgerunner]

How many chickens do you have? How much room do you have, coop and run? Over crowding can cause any of this. If weather keeps them in the coop and out of the run the crowding can be even worse.

More feed and water stations might help if they are spread enough that some can eat without being bullied by others.

If it were one or two causing the problem I'd suggest getting rid of them. But you said it was pretty much all of them.