Isa browns killing eachother

[farmgirl_09]

We started out with about 50 Isa's. Once we moved them to a bigger brooder, they have been killing eachother. We've lost about 6 so far. Apparently they will go up and pluck feathers from the vent area of an unsuspecting victim and then it will bleed. Once it starts bleeding then the others follow suit and start pecking. I can't imagine they're cramped and they have access to food all day. Any suggestions on what I can do?

 

[Beekissed]

Tell us the amount of space in which these birds are being kept? Pics are nice too...it will help us see how you are set up and be able to give you suggestions, if any.

What are you feeding and how much/often?

How old are your chicks?

 

[farmgirl_09]

They are being kept in a large, round, 300 gallon cow waterer. Its about 18 inches deep. We've had 80 large breeds that were older in there before and have never lost a single one. They are getting medicated starter/grower and there are 2-7 pound feeders that they have access to all day. They would be about 6 1/2-7 weeks old right now.

 

[Beekissed]

They seriously need more space....much more space. Some breeds will tolerate crowded conditions and not cannibalize... and some will not. Apparently your Isa's will not, which is why commercial laying operations always debeak this breed as chicks, as they will be living in crowded conditions there also.

 

[Eowyn2]

As best I can tell, a 6' round stock tank holds 390 gallons, so I'm guessing your stock tank is about a 6' circle. A 6' circle is a little over 28 square feet. The UMN extension website recommends 1/2 square foot per chick up to 6 weeks of age; after that should be 1.5 to 2-5 square feet per chick. Another website I checked recommended 1 square foot per chick from 4-8 weeks and 2 square feet per chick 8-12 weeks old.

So, 50 chicks at 6 weeks should have bare minimum 50 square feet of space, up to 125 square feet of space for a heavy/aggressive breed. Sounds like your chicks have only one-fifth to half of the amount of space they need. Their behaviour fits with the calculations - there simply isn't enough room for them to get along happily together. Glad you got away without loss the first time, but it's pretty clearly not enough for your current crew.