not sure what to do

[irish44395]

I have 3 sapphire gems , I thought I had a bully after watching them for some time I have found that they peck at each other equally what should I do ? Thanks

 

[Kiki]

Are these your only three chickens or do you have more?
Can you post your pictures of your coop and run?
What exactly do you feed them?

All of the above make a difference/matter in the answers/opinions you all receive here.

 

[Banana01]

What size coop are they in or do they have space to spread out? Adding another food dish and water bowl might help if they are territorial over the food. A lot of times my flock fights because they are trying to eat at the same time. I have three food stations spread out with a lot of water.

 

[sourland]

Are they just pecking at one another or are they feather pecking/plucking? Is blood being drawn?

 

[Ridgerunner]

All good questions. Age could be a factor so how old are they? Are you sure they are all girls? Where do you see this happening, is it just in the coop or also in the run? How big in feet is your coop? How big in feet is your run? Do they have access to the run if this is only happening in the coop? As Sourland asked, can you kind of describe what this pecking looks like?

Photos of your set-up could really help.

 

[3KillerBs]

A certain amount of pecking is normal. Are they pulling feathers or drawing blood?

I agree that information about your coop and run and photos would be helpful.

 

[irish44395]

they are just pulling feathers while they are dust bathing they will pick at the one that is bathing the run size is about 25 feet by 10 feet the coop is 3.5 ft x 4 ft there water is a 5 gal bucket with 4 nipples in it and the feed bucket is 5 gal and has two 3 inch openings I only have 3 birds and they are about a year and a half old they have a dust bath but will also dig holes in the sandy soil here in florida this is where I have notices most of the plucking going on itsa on there backs just above the tails and on there butts at first I thought it was mites but I cant see any I have dusted them with dimascious earth there health looks good and they act normal hope this helps

 

[Ridgerunner]

You shot down my theories. That is a lot of room for 3 chickens and in your weather they should be able to use all of it. At 1-1/2 years it is not a maturity issue. That doesn't sound aggressive at all, more like sociable grooming. Not that they should be grooming each other like that. I've seen that some and broke it up before it got out of hand. In those specific spots it should have nothing to do with molting.

How bad is the damage? Are they creating bald spots, photos might help? Are they eating the feathers they pull? What are you feeding them, protein level of their feed and how much and what other treats?

 

[3KillerBs]

How much "clutter" and enrichment material do you have in your run?

Do they have plenty of litter to scratch through to occupy their time and keep their beaks and claws busy?

 

[irish44395]

I got the run covered with wood chips I raise black soldier fly larva and they get it often along with scratch . I use purina laya feed and they have grit and oyster shell on the side I'll get some picks later today thanks all