SOS! Cannibalism

[Debbie292d]

Do I need to switch the layer crumbles for all flock or add it into the feed routine? We did put a trail cam in/around the coop to try and see for sure if it’s a predator or the hens. Now that I know how much room they need I can say I probably didn’t have enough space for them but then that brings another question. When we first got chickens 10 yrs ago we got 5 guinea and 20 chickens. Again we did not know how much space they needed, but we had those birds in a slightly smaller space and we never had this problem. Did I just get lucky with that first round of birds? We do currently have plans to double the run space so I guess we’ll try to add onto the coop or build another one

I wouldn't waste the feed you have and would blend it 50/50 with the all flock until it's gone. I think you'll start seeing improvements in them once they're onto it.

 

[Debbie292d]

Indeed, which would be rather astonishing taking their omnivore nature into consideration.

But also thousands of poultry keepers treat their birds regularly to black soldier fly larvae or meal worms or add some greek yoghurt to their mash etc. Which will provide animal protein as well as letting the birds free rage for at least a few hours per day so they will be able to snack on all kinds of insects, bugs and dig up some worms etc.

And scrambled eggs..., that's a weekly ritual here.

 

[LaFleche]

I would like to add that we did catch and dispatch a raccoon in the coop last night. I still can’t figure out where/how it got in. I don’t use chicken wire I use hardware cloth, both doors have multiple locks and I still can’t find any holes anywhere so for now I can only hope that was the only raccoon and that I find the spot where it got in quickly. I appreciate all the tips and tricks that I still plan to implement.

Check the roof as they often get in by lifting the roof tiles.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I would like to add that we did catch and dispatch a raccoon in the coop last night. I still can’t figure out where/how it got in. I don’t use chicken wire I use hardware cloth, both doors have multiple locks and I still can’t find any holes anywhere so for now I can only hope that was the only raccoon and that I find the spot where it got in quickly. I appreciate all the tips and tricks that I still plan to implement.

Make sure they can't pull the door open at the bottom and slip through the gap. Sneaky critters they be.

 

[Debbie292d]

Check the roof as they often get in by lifting the roof tiles.

I had no idea they'd do this! We have steel roofs on both coops, but the grow-out pens don't. We know they're close, as I just dispatched a sick or old one caught on a cam earlier and seen in our backyard later that night. Two dogs, a barn cat, and a dozen solar and electric motion lights all over this place apparently keep all but the sick/aged from getting close.

 

[2 Acres]

Make sure they can't pull the door open at the bottom and slip through the gap. Sneaky critters they be.

And murderous vermin!!!

 

[LaFleche]

Two dogs, a barn cat, and a dozen solar and electric motion lights all over this place apparently keep all but the sick/aged from getting close.

They quickly get used to all kinds of deterrents and are even more bold when they have young ones to feed.
They watch us humans and our habits very closely and even learn our schedules thus knowing at what time of the week/day we will not be around and it would be safe for them to attack.

Some years ago they even came in broad daylight, overcame two rows of electric fences and electric netting and raided my grow out flock of rare breeds. Some were left half eaten and still alive and I had to put them out of their misery when I came back from my regular visit to the physiotherapy practice.

 

[Debbie292d]

They quickly get used to all kinds of deterrents and are even more bold when they have young ones to feed.
They watch us humans and our habits very closely and even learn our schedules thus knowing at what time of the week/day we will not be around and it would be safe for them to attack.

Some years ago they even came in broad daylight, overcame two rows of electric fences and electric netting and raided my grow out flock of rare breeds. Some were left half eaten and still alive and I had to put them out of their misery when I came back from my regular visit to the physiotherapy practice.

That is amazing how able they are to get by or through all the protection you had. I’m very snotty. It sickens me and is so disheartening to hear stories like this.

Since you mention routine, I never thought about it before but part of our success keeping them back in the forest also could be that I have been working from home the entire 9 years we’ve had chickens. I was and am still in and out randomly going around the acreage to visit the various coops/pens. Hubby retired last May so for the past year, he’s doing that too.