Please HELP.. not sure whats going on.....

[country girl44]

What is chilly at night?
They should be able to handle 40-50F easily at this age.

I would have them outside but I have 8 bigger girls that might not like the idea right now. I want to give them a little more time to get bigger.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

That looks like cannibalism. First thing I would do is up everyone's protein and give them more space.
What makes up their diet?
I don't know where you live but those birds would be outside in my climate at this age and time of year.

X2

Let's take it a step further.
Can you post some photos of where they are currently housed?
Do you have their outdoor housing ready?
Where are you located?

It looks like the chick has been picked on severely. Separating her so she can heal was a good idea. Flush the wounds with saline and apply some triple antibiotic ointment or Vetericyn.

Watch to see that she is staying hydrated well and eating. You can add some poultry vitamins to her water to help with the healing process as well.

More than likely not enough space, possibly too much heat and boredom is the cause.Try to get them outside where they have plenty of room as soon as you can. For this little, she will have a hard time being integrated if you keep her separated until she completely heals - so placing her cage or kennel next to the others will be beneficial. If the spaces of the kennel are quite large where the others can reach in an peck at her, you may need to consider covering it with wire. In a few days, once she has scabbed over help hide the wounds by applying some Blu Kote, then put your ointment on top. If she goes outside, be mindful of flies lighting on the wounds as well.

They start picking feathers (93% protein) at the top of the tail and then proceed to consume flesh.
There is a difference between crude protein percentage and levels of amino acids. Vegetable sources of protein are usually deficient in lysine, methionine, cysteine and tryptophan.
I would probably try giving a can of mackerel to the flock. (cheapest source of high quality animal protein)
What is your plan for giving them more space and integrating?

I agree with everything Wyorp Rock and Chicken Canoe mentioned. You'll also want to watch that they don't start on another chick since this one is gone.

 

[country girl44]

They start picking feathers (93% protein) at the top of the tail and then proceed to consume flesh.
There is a difference between crude protein percentage and levels of amino acids. Vegetable sources of protein are usually deficient in lysine, methionine, cysteine and tryptophan.
I would probably try giving a can of mackerel to the flock. (cheapest source of high quality animal protein)
What is your plan for giving them more space and integrating?

We are going to be setting them up in the garage, this Thursday, with a great view of the bigger girls. of cause with chicken wire between them, so no one gets hurt AGAIN!... I love my girls and babies and I'm very upset to see this happening.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I would have them outside but I have 8 bigger girls that might not like the idea right now. I want to give them a little more time to get bigger.

How much space do the adult hens have? Can a section be cordoned off to introduce these chicks? Adult hens usually always have issue with new birds...adult or chicks. The sooner you can introduce them and get them acquainted...the better.

 

[country girl44]

I agree with everything Wyorp Rock and Chicken Canoe mentioned. You'll also want to watch that they don't start on another chick since this one is gone.

I will watch them...I was thinking the same thing when I moved her this morning...3 more days and they will have a much bigger space.

 

[country girl44]

How much space do the adult hens have? Can a section be cordoned off to introduce these chicks? Adult hens usually always have issue with new birds...adult or chicks. The sooner you can introduce them and get them acquainted...the better.

My big girls are free ranged in almost 2 acres... Thursday we will let them see the chicks in the garage, cause they always walk in there on there own.

 

[country girl44]

That's picking, not illness.
20% should be good. Are they eating anything else?

just snacks, like fruit. watermelon, and small amounts of scratch. just to keep them busy...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My big girls are free ranged in almost 2 acres... Thursday we will let them see the chicks in the garage, cause they always walk in there on there own.

This is a good idea Having them where they can see one another will help with integration. Place your injured one in there in her separation cage/kennel as well. She will still be "part" of the flock, just protected more from any further injury.

Don't feel bad. You caught it, so if you treat her wounds well and watch for signs of infection she should heal fairly quickly. Once a chick starts a little picking and they see blood, the others can jump in and do damage in a very short period of time.

I hope all goes well, please keep us posted.

 

[Hamiam]

When I notice several of my 8 week old pullets had small bloody areas & tail feathers were missing, I got the Blu-Kote & kept the inquiries covered with it. The picking stopped & the girls healed up. I also pulled aside any chick I caught pecking on others. I gave the abuser a 15 minute time out in a separate cage. Dont laught! It may not have sent a message to the bad girl, but it certainly made me feel better! There should be a consequence to picking on your sister!

 

[Wickedchicken6]

This is a good idea Having them where they can see one another will help with integration. Place your injured one in there in her separation cage/kennel as well. She will still be "part" of the flock, just protected more from any further injury.

Don't feel bad. You caught it, so if you treat her wounds well and watch for signs of infection she should heal fairly quickly. Once a chick starts a little picking and they see blood, the others can jump in and do damage in a very short period of time.

I hope all goes well, please keep us posted.

X2! I couldn't have said that any better myself.

You're also aware of what's going on now so you'll be able to pick out behavior like this since you'll be looking for it. It's how all most of us have learned. Learning is the key word there.
I hope your chick heals quickly.