MY CHICKENS ARE KILLING EACH OTHER!!

[Ol Grey Mare]

Per your previous post today I thought you were having predator issues?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/913861/unknown-killer

 

[HunterUSArmy]

Well see that's what I thought it was predators so I put roof on it and closed them in the coop at night another dead hen only breast eaten no dig ins no holes anywhere to get in...only going left is them killing each other

 

[HunterUSArmy]

Thing not going ...autocorrect

 

[valjean]

Barred rock and rir all hens and they sleep in a box instead of on their perch could that be where they are overcrowded and getting aggravated

They are sleeping in a box? or a nest box? You can get rid of the box, or if it's a nest box, block access to it until they are ready to lay. Mine would have slept there if given a chance.

This whole killing-each-other thing is odd. Mine have been together since week one and never a peck that would injure, just squabbles now and then. I have 4 chickens in an 8 x 10 run, plus the coop.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I only knew one person who had this issue. Her pullet killed the five other pullets and she brought in leghorns instead...the murderer fell in love. Strange, I know.

Is there physical evidence on your pullets that its from them? Is there any small chance even that it could be a predator?

 

[HunterUSArmy]

I don't see evidence but I also see absolutely no way predators are getting them frustrating feel bad that they are dieing and i can't figure out why

 

[One Chick Two]

What type of wire on the walls are you using? Is it wide spaced or thin chicken wire?
There are a few predators small enough to squeeze through very small spaces like weasels, etc.

Sometimes there can be fast illnesses going around, and the other chickens will peck at a dead chicken, so they may not actually be killing them. Hopefully you can get this figured out.

One other thing... how's the henhouse ventilation?

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I would think if they're picking at a carcass you'd see blood somewhere on them. Do you hunt? Do you have a trail cam you could set up?

 

[HunterUSArmy]

The first two feet is double fenced with large and small gap the rest including the roof is wide chicken wire if it's disease I'm not seeing any signs:/ God gave me last name Hunter for a reason! Yeah I'll get a cam out I have a live trap set up next to coop already

 

[HunterUSArmy]

ill also post pictures in couple hours when I get home from work