Pecking issues

[smcmillan]

ok, thanks for inquiries. I use 20% crude protein. Of the 30 hens I have 9 are severely pecked and bleeding. I am on vacation for next 10 days but will build connection to open acres upon my return. Also, I plan on adding 20 layers in September. Should I eliminate the current layers with problems prior to introducing new layers?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

ok, thanks for inquiries. I use 20% crude protein. Of the 30 hens I have 9 are severely pecked and bleeding. I am on vacation for next 10 days but will build connection to open acres upon my return. Also, I plan on adding 20 layers in September. Should I eliminate the current layers with problems prior to introducing new layers?

You should answer your original thread. Sounds like you need a lot more room or less chickens. How big is your set up?

 

[smcmillan]

Coop is12x12 and run area is approximately 20x40

 

[rebrascora]

I agree. You have another post on the same subject and have not answered it. It makes more sense to respond to suggestions in one place than keep starting new threads and get asked the same questions.

How many feeding and watering stations do you have? Have you tried breaking the run up into areas, make tunnels or baffles so that birds can get out of sight of bullies, hanging cabbages, giving them toys etc. Things to occupy them to distract them from pecking each other. Fill empty drinks bottles with feed and put a small hole in the side, so that they have to scratch and roll it around to get food out. Basically, make life more interesting for them.
You are asking for trouble adding more until you get the problems you have sorted out. Even if you are not emotionally attached to them, it is not financially viable to keep adding birds to a situation where they keep injuring and/or killing each other. Breed of birds can also be relevant. Some have a tendency to be more aggressive than others. If you don't have time to tend to the injured ones then it might be as well to cull them because if they are left in the flock with injuries, they will eventually be killed.