Pecking and Chasing Each Other

[downtownjb80]

My hens are 1 year and a couple of months old and just recently have started pecking and chasing each other around their pen. It has never been a problem before until recently. I have noticed a few have lost feathers around their vents and this seems to be where most of the pecking is done. A couple of months ago one of the girls got injured (presumably laying a large egg) that drew quite a bit of blood, so I separated her for a few days until it healed, but the feathers never grew back. Now I have noticed that there is a bit of blood around her vent again. I have also recently acquired some new chicks (now a couple of months old) and they are now living close by as I read that they should be able to see each other to get used to each other. I am planning for them to move in together as soon as they are big enough to defend themselves, one has already been attacked by the big girls. Any thoughts to what the problem may be with the pecking and chasing?

 

[outdoorsii]

Well, I do know & have heard that once a chicken sees blood, they are like SHARKS, they will not quit pecking that area if it looks different in any way, (bald, bloody, etc). So I dont know what made them start doing it all of the sudden after a year, but if you can I'd put vaseline or something that won't hurt the chicken on whatever part of the chicken is bleeding or bald or different looking, & that maybe it'll deter the other ones from pecking at it, b/c as far as I'm concerned vaseline doesn't taste that good lol. I have also heard that putting like 1 tablespoon of vinegar per gallon of water can help the chickens "chill out", I still haven't found that to be true but I have heard it working for some people. Plus it also has alot of good minerals that chickens need anyways, so it can't hurt.

 

[terryg]

There are many reasons why chickens peck each other, and they all usually start from environmental stress. Do you have enough room for everyone? What with the severe heat, the hens are crowded into the shady areas. So, think about usable room, not just how much space is fenced for them. Do they all have access to food and water? Are they bored? Are they being fed a lot of treats so that they get full and then have nothing to do the rest of the day? In any case, once there is pecking and blood letting, you have to remove the injured hen. If she is healed, but bare, darken her skin with blu-kote. I have more about pecking issues here that might help you sort out your flock dynamics.
http://hencam.com/faq/pecking-order/
You also might want to read this FAQ about introducing new birds:
http://hencam.com/faq/introducing-new-hens/