what are some of the reasons the chicks go around peeking feathers out from the flock ? Anything I can do to prevent this ?
1) overcrowding- how much space for how many birds do you have? 2) protein difficiency- feed meat scraps, worms, black oil sunflower seeds, etc. 3) boredom- give them something to do: fresh hay bale to pull apart, clob of dirt with worms in it, head of cabbage on a string, etc.
Quote:well , I have (15 ) 10 - 12 week old chicks in a 6ft. by 6 ft. deep cage with plenty ventilation . Hubby is building them a RUN & COOP this week , so I am sure that will solve most of that problem .....
The new coop and run will probably help. We have 4 twelve-week chicks in about 2 x 5 right now and it's not really enough room, in my opinion.... they'll have more space soon. The general rule of thumb is to allow, as a MINIMUM, for standard-sized chickens: interior/henhouse useable floor space = 4 sqare feet per hen exterior/run/pen = 10 square feet per hen. So for your chickens you'd want a henhouse with 60 square feet of useable floor space, and a run with 150 square feet. ( But you can get by with less if they'll be out free-ranging most of the time.) Hope this helps!
Quote:well total ......... we have 7 laying hens and (28 ) 10 to 12 week old chicks . Hubby is building a FULL RUN 12 x20 and COOP 8x12 ............. THINK THIS WILL BE BIG ENOUGH ? I am betting he will change his mind about the size of the coop and make it larger . Ima hoping he would at least go 12x12
Are you planning to let them out to free range or will they be in the coop/run most of the time? So, 35 birds, total? If they're confined, you'd ideally want 350 sf run space, minimum 140 sq feet interior space minimum 12 x 20 = 240 sq feet of run...... 8 x 12 = 96 sq feet of interior...... I dunno. Maybe other folks will chime in. I only have experience witha small flock. But, I'd think you if you're keeping them confined you may find you have pecking issues from over-crowding. Anyone else with large flocks?? What do you think??
They like to pick at each other. Unfortunately, that is their nature. Giving more space does make a difference, but not always. I have 1/2 the birds I used to and they still beat up on each other.
Quote:NO , We live in the city limits and they have to either be in cages or in a closed in area . they will be in the RUN during the day and only in the coop at night .
I have 13 10 week olds that went outside at 7 weeks old (they were in the coop since 3 weeks). At 6 weeks old, one began plucking feathers from the others as if she was at a buffet! Our coop has 71 sq ft of floor space (so about 5.5 sq ft/ chicken). Now that they are outside, (run is 500 sq ft) there are NO behavior problems. They get along beautifully without any squabbles. So, like Sea Chick, I would err on the side of MORE space. Less hassels in the long run. Plus.. I can add more when I'm ready!!! I had old timers tell me I was crazy not to order de-beaked chicks..."they'll pick each other like crazy...you have alot to learn about chickens, missy". They are shocked to see a happy flock of pullets with their beaks and wings intact. The only difference is they are not living in crowded conditions. I've learned SO much from this site and I thank you!