Picked to death!!

[max13077]

I'm so sad.

I went out to the coop last night and one of my favorite buffy's, Honey Bear was dead. She had been picked to death. Her butt was covered with blood and her backside gashed open. Another hen had been bloodied in he rump as well, but she was still alive. I have her in the house trying to heal her up.

This has to STOP! It is now WAR

I have a couple of notorious pickers that are now gone. I thought they had eased up, but obviously not. I sprayed everybody down with hotpick. I hope I got the main perpetrators. I can’t stand the senselessness of this.

 

[illinichick]

I know exactly how you feel. I had a "rash" of this last year and was finally able to get them to stop but not after I had lost 3-4 hens. It took alot of cabbages, oats, and "toys" to keep them busy and not think about pecking.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

That sounds so gruesome! What would cause such severe pecking? Were the victims new to the flock? How crowded are they in the enclosure?

 

[mksenoj]

I have the same question from the above post

 

[chick4chicks]

I am so sorry, I know how you feel. About a month ago I had to cull one of my girls because she was attacked by a predator then the others picked her so bad there was no saving her. It is so sad. Hope you got the perps. Best wishes.

 

[the1moe]

I had a similar problem... I have 50 chicks at about 4 weeks old now... they are in a large brooder, 8 x 8 feet with pine shaving and screen on top.... yet with all this space, one chick was getting picked on relentlessly.... I caught it in time and removed the chick and placed him in a small children's pool. the next day, they started picking on another chick and I also removed him from the crowd. The two chicks are getting along just fine with each other and are healing just great. I also have purchased some "Blue Coat" medicinal spray and will be spraying their rear ends this weekend and putting them back in with the regulars. I also rake up the pine shavings daily, to loosen them up a bit and make mounds within the pen, the chicks then stay busy scratching through the mounds.... this has worked for me thus far... good luck...///Moe

 

[Cetawin]

I lost one of my Faverolles to this problem a couple weeks ago and I am still trying to find the culprit...when I do....it is OFF with her head.

 

[LynneP]

You're 100% sure it isn't a rodent attack? They're notorious for slashing at the vent area.
Maybe an ugly predator is sneaking in at night...

 

[willheveland]

Quote:
I was thinking that too.Could start with a rodent but,once it's opened and exposed the others will peck at it. Will

 

[Robin'sBrood]

What does it mean and why would it happen? Is this something cooped chickens will do out of boredom? Someone 'splain it to me, please.