*****Please Help*******Chickens Pecking Rear End and Killing Each Other

[BenC]

I have had 5 chicks die in less than 24 hrs and it looks due to other chicks pecking the rear ends. I noticed somewhere in a thread if feed backs up or cakes to chick the others peck at it causing this. So my question is what feed should I switch to. I am currently feed Medicated Chick Start, the chicks are 4 weeks old. Any other suggestions?

 

[Kelsie2290]

You might also want to post in the Emergencies forum about your chicks www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures
If they are pecking each other that bad it is often do to crowded conditions and they are bored or they are too hot... how many chicks are there and how big is the brooder you have them in? Are you sure nothing else could be
getting in and killing the chicks?
Are you seeing bloody stool? Four weeks is a prime age for coccidia, it can cause deaths pretty fast in young chicks and you usually see bloody droppings, the chicks will usually stand around kind of fluffed and hunched up and just not look right.
article on coccidia from the Learning Center https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/coccidiosis-how-to-treat-it

 

[Percheron chick]

Start by turning the light off for the night if it's still on. They can't cause trouble in the dark.
Try giving them just plain oatmeal. Grind it up in a food blender. Changing brands of feed can sometimes fix the problem too.

Are they getting outside time? A tired chicks isn't going to look for trouble.