What is wrong? Please help!

[californiachick74]

Hey there everyone I am hoping for some expertise here with a behavioral issue. A few of my Rhode Islands are being pecked raw. Dont know which of the other chickens are doing this? How do I stop it and why is this happening?

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[bubbazmommy]

I am replying to bump you back up.

I was told to put bag balm or vaseline on the area and that will deter the others from pecking.

I have also seen pictures of the saddles (?) you can put on them.

Not sure though. Hopefully someone else will come along to help you out.

 

[Guitartists]

Boredom, crowding, many things can cause this behavior... can you give more info.

 

[basicliving]

How many chickens do you have? What size is the coop? What size is the chicken run? Do you let them free range?

I have been dealing with a feather picking/plucking issue - and that is usually a precursor to cannibalism. I've documented my experience with it in this thread. You may want to go through that thread and see if any of it may be useful to you.

In my case, I am convinced the primary reason feather picking/plucking starts is boredom. If even one starts it, it can be a learned behavior for others.

I know how frustrating this issue can be. I believe I resolved mine with free ranging. If that's not possible for you, make sure you fill their chicken yard with raked leaves, sprinkle black oil sunflower seeds over them, put out a Flock Block or two depending on how many chickens you have, hang cabbage around for them to peck at - anything you can think of focus them on something other than pecking each other. Also, cut out all snacks that are high in calories and low in protein.

Hope this helps,
Penny

 

[illinichick]

Spray Blu-Kote on the ones who've been pecked on. this covers up the pink pecked skin and the "peckers" don't notice it as much. give the "pecker" something else to do, such as finding oats, or sunflower seeds that you have sprinkled on the floor. I hung cabbages from the ceiling on strings, they loved trying to peck them.