pecking in 3 week chicks

[chicknube]

I am new to chickens and have 3
Barred Rocks and 3 Buff Orphingtons that are all about 3 weeks old. They are currently in a large wire dog crate with 3 full cardboard walls up. Last week I noticed 1 had escaped and all her tail feathers were plucked, leaving her with a bloody stub. I separated her and she seems to be doing fine, but tonight when I checked on them all, I noticed another one had some blood on her tail, not nearly as bad as the first one. Any ideas on what is causing this behavior and how to stop it? The first chicken now seems afraid to be back with the group. Thanks!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I use Rooster Booster Pick no more lotion on baby chicks to prevent pecking. It tastes bad to them.

 

[chicknube]

Might be a stupid question, but do you put it on all of them or the ones being picked on?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Might be a stupid question, but do you put it on all of them or the ones being picked on?

I only put it on the one area they are trying to peck. Only the already pecked chicks.

It looks like molasses and needs to be reapplied daily. It has saved so many of my chicks after washing their rear ends for pasty butt- they get reddened from the scrubbing and start to peck each other's behinds.

 

[chicknube]

Great thank you!

 

[vjunebug]

my feed store does not carry this Rooster Booster. They recommend pine tar. What is your opinion?

 

[chicknube]

My feed store didn't have it either, they told me to use Blu Kote. I also think I have figured out who is doing it. It seems to be my smallest Buff Orphington. Is there anything that I can do to get her to stop?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

my feed store does not carry this Rooster Booster. They recommend pine tar. What is your opinion?

I have not ever used pine tar but I have read some on BYC use it...I would search BYC for it if I were you to find out more.

My feed store didn't have it either, they told me to use Blu Kote. I also think I have figured out who is doing it. It seems to be my smallest Buff Orphington. Is there anything that I can do to get her to stop?

I use Blu Kote on injuries and I think it does help disguise the wound, since it makes it not appear red to them. However I also use the Rooster Booster Lotion around the area to help protect from pecking. A LOT of people use Blu Kote on BYC from what I have read.

You can try separating the one doing the pecking to see if that helps, for a short while. Using a red brooder lamp instead of white is said to reduce pecking as well, although I have never used a red light.

 

[Stiggy]

Here in NZ we use charcoal powder which also has antibiotic properties or something ( for wounds at least ). Chicks do this for varying reasons including lack of nutrition, and boredom but once it starts and they draw blood it's hard to get them to stop. Try giving them things to do ( think those bird things for budgies that they peck at. Hang it where they can reach it but also where it will move so they have to consentrate on it. ) soft cheeses are also good and it brings up their calcium and nutritional levels. Meat scraps are also great