WHY!!!!!!!!!!

[Acre of Blessings]

Could it be because I left the light on all night? In the house here it is a balmy 77* and with the light on it gets hot in the room where they are ( I cut it off on the mornings). I would say around 85* or so. Right now I have the light off and they seem to be calm and quiet. Shoul di keep the light off?

 

[Wolf-Kim]

I would try lots of edible greens. A lot of pecking is caused by boredom. With adults birds we'll hang apples or large pieces of cabbage and I've heard it helps a ton. *shrugs* I guess they just need some stimulation to fight the boredom of living in a box whether it be cardboard, wood, or fence. Give 'em something to do and every chicken loves eating.

-Kim

 

[S0rcy]

I noticed this a few days after I got my chicks and threw in a toy. It was a sturdy blue rubber kitty toy. They loved it! I bought them others, balls with bells, a mirror, etc. It still keeps them occupied, though now they are big enough to fight over who gets to peck at the rope.

 

[Acre of Blessings]

I have had to pull another one out of the box. Not sure it is due to the same thing cause there is some side feather missing. They were not plucked though. This is a bare spot on each side. I went ahead though and took her out also.

Is this a good idea? She's chirping to get back in (I know they all do that when seperated).

 

[ChixDigMe]

I also think they are bored. When mine did this, I put a radio in the room with the brooder in it and put on the local classical music radio station. It worked so well, I've kept it with them out in the coop and keep it on 24/7. They are now just over a year, and pecking has never been a problem. I even had one prolapse, and didn't even have a problem with pecking then. The victim did tend to shy away from the others for a couple of days, but has been fine.

Good luck

 

[Acre of Blessings]

YOu know Chix---I love classical music and I am going to try this right now.

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

In my experience environmental stress is usually the cause of cannibalism. This stress can be over crowding, poor ventilation, incorrect temperatures, out of feed events, manure build up/gases. In a couple of cases I have had success offering free choice access to lard/bacon grease, this has not helped in cases of sever environmental stress though.

Jim

 

[Flyman39]

Chickens can be the most mean, cruel and brutal animals that you will ever see. They will mercilessly weed out the weak in a hurry. If conditions are not right they will completely eat each other if you don't intervene. Just like many have told you there are many things that will cause this. Most likely they are too crowded and are bored. They need lots of room to sort themselves out. There are many things though that will cause this. Too hot, Too crowded, Vitamin difficiency, Boredom, Establishing pecking order, No momma to keep them in line, and just being chickens. I think you are on the right track and I hope you get them lined out.
I like the classical music Idea. I might give that a try sometime. More for me than the chicks. Ha Ha.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Is it just your white leghorns that are doing this Angela, or is it all of them?

 

[JSC]

We put one of these in our run. It gives them something to peck at.

http://poultry.purinamills.com/OURPRODUCTS/Products/FlockBlock/