White Rock meat chickens pecking and bleeding butts

[Druvius]

I have 60 males (white rock meat birds) and they are approximately 5 weeks. They have entirely enough space in the coop. They’ve had their medicated starter and are on to grower.

In the past I’ve had birds peck at others and bring a little blood. We separate them from the flock and they’re fine.

This year there are many (20% about) with bleeding from the behind. The poop looks good, no blood, not runny, good colour.

We’ve treated with Banixx and sprayed a soothing relief spray on all of them. We can’t get blue kote around here so we added blue food dye as told to us by another farmer to hide the red blood colour. Some are reacting well. A few have died.

I’m not near processing day and I’m afraid I’m going to lose a significant amount of the flock.

There doesn’t seem to be an event or contamination that started it. Coops are always clean and free of other animals or other farmers.

They’re eating and drinking just fine. Some are a little small but that may just be pecking order.

This has just sprung up this past week and the wife and I have been trying to play catch up. We’ve raised meat birds for approx 15+ years and this is the first real issue.

I apologize for the ramble. I’m trying to answer all questions as per the forum guidelines. If I’ve left anything out I’m sorry. Any help would be appreciated.
Andrew

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

It sounds like cannibalism, and at this point, they might not stop. It probably started with one having an injury, the others pecking it then discovering it tasted good, and now they're after each other. Can you find the trouble makers? Can you separate the injured? At this age, their beaks aren't big enough for pinless peepers.

How much light do they have in their coop? It might be worth putting them in complete darkness for 3-14 days straight so they can't see to peck.

With your injureds, not only will you need to ensure they're not getting further injured, you will also have to make sure the flies stay off them. They'd be easy prey for fly strike.

 

[Druvius]

Thank you for the fast reply.
We’ve separated the injured ones and have treated their wounds. I may divide them up some more. How much square feet do each meat chicken need in your opinion?