several chicks pecking butts to bloody point

[andieschicks]

We have 55 chicks in a 8'x16' brooder (they're about a month old) and we have 7 of them that have had their butts pecked to the point of bloodiness or one has been plucked bald on the butt. What could cause them to be doing this? We haven't sexed them, but from looking at them it looks like all but one are roosters.

 

[Eggcessive]

Are you using a red brooder light which may prevent them from pecking as much? Do they seem overcrowded? Remove the ones that have been pecked, and separate them. Put some Nustock cream on their vent areas. What are you feeding them? A good 20% chick starter groer should provide enough protein to prevent pecking. Overcrowding and boredom can also be problems causing pecking.

 

[andieschicks]

They have been isolated and we do have a red brood light. We ran out of chick feed the day before yesterday and are waiting for the next bag to get here. I can feed them protein filled foods until we get the chick food to get them more protein, it should just be another day or so. They have a LOT of room I have not seen any crowding issues. Does that sound like that would work?

 

[Eggcessive]

Bad tasting creams like Nustock, Bag Balm, anti-peck lotions can sometimes help to prevent the pecking. Spend some time watching them to see if one or two in particular are doing most of the pecking, and separate that chick. Chicks require certain minerals, and sometimes the pecking may be due to a lack of something in their feed. Try putting a couple of large clumps of sod with grass in the brooder for them to peck at which could help with boredom.