Old chickens are fighting....

BarneyChick97

Songster
9 Years
Nov 8, 2011
185
14
146
Mt. Vernon, Washington
Hey there....
So Ive had some old(er) turkeys that seemed to of "lost their minds" after a few years, and didn't think much of it. Well, now I'm wondering?? Do birds kind of go 'bat-crazy' when they are old?
I have 3 chickens who are about 6 1/2 years old. They came from the same flock. They seemed to of all turned on one another. Actually the weak one seems to be in charge now, only its relentless, she actually got to the biggest bird, pecked at her so much, she had no feathers left on her head, and she was also bleeding. I had to separate the 2 from that one, and now the (former weak one) is after the other chicken.

Now I should say, a few weeks ago, we did get a stray chicken (that no one in my neighborhood claimed), I did try to introduce them (after they were in separate spaces for a couple weeks, no one is sick), and that didn't go well. It was only for a few minutes, and they had a portable cage between them. Once I realized after a couple times that it was not going to work, we have left the stray in our former turkey coop. So she's solo.

The other ones seemed to of started this rage with one another after that. I have had 2 turkeys, after about 3 years (egg layers) that just went crazy on us. They were always pleasant and didn't mind us, but then just started to attack people or other birds. I also have a duck that is the same age as these chickens. She is ornery too, nice to us, but she hates EVERY OTHER BIRD (except her friend). But these chicken(s) are just MEAN. I am seriously thinking of buying a kill cone and just being done with them. I can't let them live like this, its not fair, and plus its a huge pain! :(
 
I haven't seen older birds going crazy. It could be in relation to a protein deficiency, especially this time of year with birds molting. What are you feeding?

I have noticed some of my birds becoming more moody and prone to more aggressive behaviors during the molt, many don't feel well during it. They eventually mellow out again.

Trying to bring in a new chicken could set off a whole reaffirmation of the pecking order. How big is your set up? Smaller set ups can lead to continuing aggressive behaviors once they start.

Are your hens ever let out? Animals kept in continuous confinement can become mentally unstable.

As far as turkeys, they will fight for a long time with another bird, they have a problem letting things go. I have seen fights last days. If the loser cannot get away the winner can kill it. It's the nature of the turkey.
 
My run is either a 10/10 or 12/12 ? Its enclosed. They dont go out, because we seem to have some hawk issues. They see a lot of light, and there are only 3 of them. They eat some layer feed made by the local farm supply here. They are coming off of a molt though. They have never done this before. Not as brutal as turkeys for sure. Turkeys I am sure would go until death. Just one hen now is just mean. (and she used to be the meek sweet one)
 
My turkey's are all gone.(their the only ones I can relate fighting to) Just the chickens now. Their coop is 10' h/10'w (square)...or 12'.. not sure which, but its big for 3 birds. I'm pretty sure that the feed is about that. Its okay for all birds, but its mostly for chickens, and its a layer feed.
 
My turkey's are all gone.(their the only ones I can relate fighting to) Just the chickens now. Their coop is 10' h/10'w (square)...or 12'.. not sure which, but its big for 3 birds. I'm pretty sure that the feed is about that. Its okay for all birds, but its mostly for chickens, and its a layer feed.
Layer at probably 16%
Higher protein is needed no less than 18%
 
I'm gonna guess that adding the new bird shook up the pecking order and even when you them removed the new bird, the old girls are still in fighting mode.
 

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