Rooster pecked in the butt

[RiccardoR]

Hello,

In my small flock (6 chickens in total), I have a rooster that was born handicapped. One of my chickens has started pecking him in the butt to a point to make him bleeding.

What is the root cause and how can I help him healing and stop this behavior?

Thanks for your support!

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Once chickens see blood, they tend to keep pecking. You’ve got two options to address this. If it has created a bad wound then separate him until it heals. Once it heals you can reintegrate him into the flock. If it is not a bad wound then clean the blood and cover the wound with Peck-No-More. It’s supposed to prevent pecking.

 

[nuthatched]

What's their diet? How much space do they have? Can he get away?

 

[RiccardoR]

Thanks for your answer, this forum is amazing!

Coop is small but they have about 700 square meters to walk around.

They eat a mix of seeds and pellet, all bio. Proteins are 10%. Enclosed picture.

I noticed he misses all the tail feathers and where he bleeds is a broken one.

 

[RiccardoR]

 

[Altairsky]

10% protein is extremely poor. The bare minimum is 18%.
I suggest to integrate minced meat, fish, cottage cheese, and extra eggs if available to increase protein levels.
Low protein food often causes pecking issues.

 

[nuthatched]

Thanks for your answer, this forum is amazing!

Coop is small but they have about 700 square meters to walk around.

They eat a mix of seeds and pellet, all bio. Proteins are 10%. Enclosed picture.

I noticed he misses all the tail feathers and where he bleeds is a broken one.

You say the feed is 10% protein? If so, that's really bad feed, the absolute minimum they need to live is 16% protein.
That feed may actually be a treat mix, with the corn and seeds.
I'd switch to a feed with atleast 18% protein, they're likely pecking because they need protein.

 

[RiccardoR]

Thanks all for your advices!

 

[RiccardoR]

Dear all. Today after 10 days I have tried to re-introduce my rooster in the flock as I saw him doing better and after having applied a deterrent to prevent pecking. Result is that my hens have pecked him badly and he started bleeding again. I have confined him again. He has lots of broken tail feathers. What should I do? Should I let him heal alone?

 

[Altairsky]

did you change the diet? Added more protein?