Pecking or just boredom

[asaxton]

Our Dominiques are now 3 1/2 wks old and appear to be doing great. We are taking them outside for about half a day on average and they love it. However, yesterday we found that about seven of them have been pecked on their tail feathers. Enough to draw blood and remove several feathers. We separated them from the rest and so far none of the others are having that problem. The seven that we separated are doing fine and not pecking each other. My question is, are they pecking because they are bored? To keep them from being bored what can we do? So far we cut up a cucumber from the garden and hung it in the run with them. Needless to say, the cucumber didn't last long. This is our first flock. Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.

 

[twzlrwho]

The most successful rememdy for me is extrs protein. Given they have plenty of room. I found hard boiled eggs are great for this and it keep them busy for awhile.

Good luck.

 

[Monk]

I had a simular problem and received great information, hope this helps...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2274779#p2274779]

 

[twzlrwho]

With addes space and added protein you could avoid having to separate. Seperating will make it harder on them when you decide to put them back together. I have had much luck with this and have several batches of chicks with no problems...anymore..lol.

Good luck and my advice is to exhaust all other options before you resort to separation.

Have a great day

 

[asaxton]

I had to separate as once we got the wounds fixed up, the others went right after them again. Since I am only planning on keeping about 8 of this hatch and selling the rest, I am not real worried about reintegration. I would like to put them back in with the rest though. Just makes things simpler for me.

So adding protein to the diet helps keep them occupied? If I give them hard boiled eggs, wouldn't that teach them to eat their eggs when they lay? They really seemed to love the cucumber pieces. Coming from the garden, my cost is almost nothing. I have seen the post that lists all of the possible treats. That's how I got the cucumber idea. Would there be a good toy or something to add to the run to occupy them? I don't want to give them treats all the time.

 

[twzlrwho]

Hard boiled eggs does not teach them to eat raw eggs.

What did you put on their wounds? There is stuff called blue kote that masks the wounds. Also if you have a brooder light, a red light instead of white helps too. It may even be too hot for them and they are irritated. You could try lowering their temp in the brooder. I have a batch the same age as yours and they are off the light all together.

As far as something to play with. You can try perches, clumps of grass (mine LOVE this), anything shiny (like spoons). Little cat toy balls.

Usually the problem is lack of protein, space or heat. I hope this helps you...It sure helped me and I haven't had a problem since.

I don't feel a hard boiled egg every now and then is too many treats. Their diet is mostly protein.

 

[asaxton]

We used the blue kote on the wounds. We are using the red lamp in the brooder. It is off now.

So the heat could be the problem. That may explain why the issue occured outside and not inside. That could explain it as the temps here are over 100 with index. Memphis area with lots and lots of humidity.

I will work on the heat issues and see if that helps out. I will also look for some little cat toys.

Thanks to everyone for your input.

 

[twzlrwho]

Yikes..that is hot. Good luck!