Pecking Order Help

[btdupree]

I have 4 RIR that have been together since the summer & started laying in December. I get 2-3 eggs a day. I started noticing some bald patches on one chicken, then a second, then a third. I separated the only one without feathers missing (Big Mama). Then, I noticed the pecking from one of the remaining three! So I also removed her (Chickaletta). The two left in the coop have bloody tails & I want them to heal. But, Big Mama started attacking Chickaletta in the cage. So, I had to put her back in the coop this morning. Unfortunately, Chickaletta started pecking the other two almost immediately. Big Mama remains isolated, but I fear the others are going to get pecked on pretty bad & not have a chance to heal. Is this normal? What else can I do. I don't want to get rid of any of them. I'm going to get more water & feeding options. Any recommendations for toys? Change the feed? Thanks

 

[Folly's place]

What are you feeding? Dimensions of your coop and run, and lighting? Yes, separate feeders and waterers matter too. Roost space?
Then some birds are nasty feather picking critters, and this can result in real injuries and worse. Any mites or lice present?
Pinless peepers will stop the damage, but fixing any issues matters too.
Mary

 

[btdupree]

I have a pretty big coop & walk in run, so I think the space isn't an issue. Until this happened the 2 feeders & 2 water options have been fine. But, I'm going to add 2 more & see if that helps. I also put in a few things to give them some other space options like an old cat house that was never used & an old wash bin filled with dirt. I hope this gives some reprieve to an injured one. I'm using the Purina layena (16% protein) & I supplement with scratch feed daily. I also let them free range every few days for an hour or so. I think I'm going to try borrowing another dog cage to separate Chickaletta if she doesn't chill out today. Two in & two out. Not sure what else to do! Thanks for your input. What protein level is best? 20%? That helps with the pecking?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I have a pretty big coop & walk in run, so I think the space isn't an issue. Until this happened the 2 feeders & 2 water options have been fine. But, I'm going to add 2 more & see if that helps. I also put in a few things to give them some other space options like an old cat house that was never used & an old wash bin filled with dirt. I hope this gives some reprieve to an injured one. I'm using the Purina layena (16% protein) & I supplement with scratch feed daily. I also let them free range every few days for an hour or so. I think I'm going to try borrowing another dog cage to separate Chickaletta if she doesn't chill out today. Two in & two out. Not sure what else to do! Thanks for your input. What protein level is best? 20%? That helps with the pecking?

The scratch is reducing the total protein they're ingesting.

 

[btdupree]

Oh, okay. They seem to absolutely love the scratch. I hate to take it away from them, but I will. Any other solution? I do give them meal worms every once in a while, but those seem expensive. I also give them different veg scraps like lettuce, squash guts, etc.

 

[Flat Earth]

You need layer feed, scratch is what we use for movie food.

 

[btdupree]

Yeah, their food is the Purina Layena+ layer feed. They have 2 feeders of that & always have it. I just throw out a little scratch every other day (a couple of handfuls). But would that have anything to do with the pecking issue?

 

[Flat Earth]

Did they all start laying or they been laying and then started? fighting?

 

[Flat Earth]

Any time you remove a hen or a rooster from the group or add a new one, you will get them all back into the pecking order.

 

[Flat Earth]

Road Island reds can be Tame and some are down right mean to the group? Since i don't have a photo of them, you say big moma, is cause she is larger size or the attitude that she has in the group? Some hens will attack a hen that is smaller and if they stand down there going to get beat up.