I think my chickens are killing each other

[ranchhand]

I noticed that there was wood behind them. I came back to say that the coop and run are cute, and you're off to a great start. But it might be a good idea to expand the area or reduce the flock by 3 to stop the pecking.

Blu-Kote will help cover and heal, but it's gentian violet- I suggest wearing a plastic poncho and rubber gloves for application!

 

[kell]

I will get some of that tomorrow at Agway.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Look at that handsome rooster! All of them look pretty good, you just have a little sorting to do.

Check the floor of the coop and for snow tunnels. Stay warm, send me some snow down here, okay?

 

[Miss Lydia]

kell if you go on the predator thread you will see alot of stories about how weasels, mink and rats have gotten in through very small holes, cracks and I believe it's less than 3" holes they can get into. Sorry for your loss. When I was using the heat lamp[red light] in my coop, one of my roos had bloody wattles one morning, I couldn't figure out what happened to him, no frost bite but they were bloody, I got him fixed up and realized that some of his hens pecked on him during the night. So even with a red light you might still have the problem, because of that happening in my coop I don't use any heat and we had 3 degrees this morning, you would be surprised at how warm they can be as long as their roost board is wide enough so they can cover their feet. No more heat here. Your coop is really nice I think it said it would hold 10 chickens?...just saw your chickens , pretty.


hey Ranchhand SC, looks like you might get your own snow!!!

 

[kell]

I will go check out the predator area I just put a lock on the egg door and put in the red light. You can have as much snow as you want! I think we are getting more on Wed.!

We don't have minks around here, if we did I'd have a coat! LMAO I am also getting some Blue-Kote tomorrow for Dusty. I'll have to do some renaming, as my Edward needs a new Bella.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What your getting on wed. we're getting mon. and tues. I am ready for spring...

Have you seen the heated buckets and waterers they have now? Tractor supply carries them.

 

[kell]

I have seen the heated stuff. I had a bucket for my horse in NC. The waterer maybe a solution. I just locked the coop for the night. Hopefully they will all be alive in the AM.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope so too.

 

[Zoey]

Yes, Miss Lydia,... close confinement , chcikens are great at cannibalism... they will tear each other apart .. when one starts, and there is blood, in a close confinment situation they all join in, unfortunately...

check them for lice and or mites, this can make them irritable, and more likely to pick each other ...

Are they getting enough protein ? add a little tinned beef cat food to their diet occasionally, or a handful of dry kitty kibble a couple times a week and see how you go ..

 

[Miss Lydia]

How is everything going today kell?