Pecking problems

[Saintarno]

I have a flock of 5 hens that I’ve raised since they were born. We have 1 Bielefelder, 1 Rhode Island Red, 1 Barred Rock, and 2 Buff Ameraucanas. I noticed the pecking order take place and that the Ameraucanas were the bottom two. Those two girls have no tail feathers and very little back feathers. The top two hens do most of the pecking. To try to stop this behavior I tried the following...
- giving more space for the entire day and only have them go in the run/coop at night
- spreading lavender seeds to help provide a calming effect
- setup two waterers and two food bowls
- beak clipping the top two hens (local grain store said this is a common practice but I later read it’s not great)
- blue/purple spray so they won’t continue to peck skin

I’ve also found of the two hens, one doesn’t lay regularly and the other doesn’t lay at all. Yesterday I found a large wound like the size of a tablespoon carved out of the lowest hens back. I noticed the other girls pecking and added the blue spray. I’ve now made a completely separate area for her to recover away from the other hens.

Any idea what’s going on here? I can’t think of anything else but to give her away but I’m afraid this will continue with the other hens. Any thoughts?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Any photos of your set up, both coop and run? Also measurements on both would be good.

Is there any clutter in either run or your free range space to allow chickens to hide or escape from one another?

Are the two feeders/waterers placed far apart and/or behind obstacles? Also what are you feeding your flock (protein % on feed is good to know, also any treats?)

If worse comes to worse you could also try pinless peepers, but I'd want that as a last resort, because they'll have to come off at some point and you don't want them to go back to their bad habits.

 

[Saintarno]

Thanks for the reply! I’ve attached pics for you. In addition to the pics, I also feed the girls mealworms, oats occasionally, and fresh greens. Coop is roughly 8 x 4. Fenced in area is roughly 20 x 15. Also, I have two feeders and two waters placed in the opposite sides of the run.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You definitely have a good run space but it's pretty bare, so some clutter will give the chickens some stuff to interact with, and they can also use it to get away from others if being picked on or bullied: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Since the chickens can access the underside of the deck I'd consider putting one of the feeders way over there since it provides some weather coverage. That should help spread them out a little while eating.

I'd also cut back on scratch and some of the other treats, and try supplementing a bit of protein instead: a little cat food, canned unsalted fish, leftover meat from meals. Feather picking may be related to too little protein. Your feed is 16% which is enough for layers, but it's getting a bit diluted down by treats.

 

[Saintarno]

You definitely have a good run space but it's pretty bare, so some clutter will give the chickens some stuff to interact with, and they can also use it to get away from others if being picked on or bullied: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Since the chickens can access the underside of the deck I'd consider putting one of the feeders way over there since it provides some weather coverage. That should help spread them out a little while eating.

I'd also cut back on scratch and some of the other treats, and try supplementing a bit of protein instead: a little cat food, canned unsalted fish, leftover meat from meals. Feather picking may be related to too little protein. Your feed is 16% which is enough for layers, but it's getting a bit diluted down by treats.

TYSM for taking the time to review and respond. I never thought to put the food so far away but I’ll give it a try. I’ll also see what I can add for clutter and protein plus cut back on treats to ensue they are getting the protein.

I’m not sure if you noticed in the picture but I e separated out an area for my hurt girl until she heals up. I just hope when I reintroduce her they don’t start up again. Hopefully by then the protein, clutter, and new food area will help.

 

[rosemarythyme]

TYSM for taking the time to review and respond. I never thought to put the food so far away but I’ll give it a try. I’ll also see what I can add for clutter and protein plus cut back on treats to ensue they are getting the protein.

I’m not sure if you noticed in the picture but I e separated out an area for my hurt girl until she heals up. I just hope when I reintroduce her they don’t start up again. Hopefully by then the protein, clutter, and new food area will help.

I have food all over the place so some of my chickens run laps in the morning visiting each feed source.

Helps immensely that you have the injured bird in a space where the others can see her, so hopefully reintroducing her will be as simple as removing the netting and letting her out (and yes I noticed that you had a single bird penned up, then re-read the post and went "Ah ha!").

If none of the changes has enough effect, then I'd try the pinless peepers: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pinless-peepers-work.480929/

 

[aart]

So all these birds are the same age?
Have they always had the larger run area?

 

[Saintarno]

So all these birds are the same age?
Have they always had the larger run area?

Hi, The larger run area has been up for a month now. Unfortunately the pecking has continued. And the ladies are all the same age.

 

[Saintarno]

I have food all over the place so some of my chickens run laps in the morning visiting each feed source.

Helps immensely that you have the injured bird in a space where the others can see her, so hopefully reintroducing her will be as simple as removing the netting and letting her out (and yes I noticed that you had a single bird penned up, then re-read the post and went "Ah ha!").

If none of the changes has enough effect, then I'd try the pinless peepers: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pinless-peepers-work.480929/

Thanks again for all the feedback on this. I’m going out now to add the multiple food stations and give a small amount scrambled eggs since I don’t have any fish or cat food. No more treats for now. Also made a saw horse to put in the run and will look to add more clutter.

hopefully my girls run around like yours lol

 

[aart]

The larger run area has been up for a month now. Unfortunately the pecking has continued.

So the pecking is a well established habit and may be hard to break.
Might have to resort to blinders.