3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[Sireewiree]

ISSUE: 4 new POL pecking each other

HELP: why and what do I do?

 

Got my 4 point of lay chickens 2 weeks ago now. They seem happy in Eglu Cube with extension and are pretty tame now. Lots of pellets in morning and a few small treats in afternoon to keep them stimulated (don't think bored).

 

The pecking began 3/4 days ago. My bovans nera is worst off, with pecking around tail and vent (tonight they've drawn blood). The columbian blacktail and maran have also had a lesser degree of pecking and feather loss. The white leghorn seems unscathed.

 

They all seem to be pecking each other (though no-one pecks the leghorn!) so I don't think it's specific bullying. The bovans seemed top chicken at first, with the leghorn very much at the lowest position. Now it seems to have been reversed. The leghorn started laying last week and (stangely I thought, as she's been badly pecked), the bovans laid her first on Sunday (maran and columbian to follow soon I hope). All are eating and drinking freely - no problems there.

 

My gut instinct is that this is a pecking order fight between animals reaching maturity, having settled in their new environment. However, I'm concerned about the drawing of blood. I used anti-peck spray, which had an effect for a day, but the bovans now has a small wound (am not concerned about wound as I know they're pretty good healers, just concerned about the chicken blood-lust!!).

 

I don't want to seperate them, as I think i may be delaying more of the same when reunited. I guess what I need form anyone out there is reassurance that this is not abmormal behaviour, or if it is, then dvice on what to do next. My logic says that if the bovans (worst pecked) was unhappy, she wouldn't have begun to lay.... Help!

 

THanks if you've made it to the end of theis rambling post!!!!

[laurmurf]

I'm not a fan of this sort of behaviour and don't think it needs to happen at all.

 

I would work out who is the worst offender and separate her from the others in some way. Perhaps a dog crate inside the cube run? it would allow them all to see each other but would give the wounded hen the chance to heal and establish herself higher up the pecking order.

 

A short period of detention for the committed bully will allow the power balance to even out a bit more.

 

best of luck.

[GeorgieB]

I have heard of some cases of vicious bullying and it usually seems to be because they are confined to a run. Mine have always been able to free range which has really helped while they work out the order of the flock. If they feel they can get away and have a bit of space it doesn't seem so serious. As well as using anti-peck spray I used to spray my girls with water (spray bottle that is) if it started to look nasty and that stopped them. It also helps to have a few feeding/drinking bowls so they don't feel like they have to compete so much.

 

Good luck,

Georgie

[chuckmum6]

I would echo the above advice, identify the main pecker and isolate, keep going with the anti peck spray most are good on sore skin too. Try hanging up spring green and the like to give them something to do. Add perches and or branches to allow them space to escape from each other, put in trugs full of compost for dust baths. Some people suspend cd's to distract chickens. Good luck it should settle down once a pecking order is properly established.Chickens can be really horrid to each other but is usually short lived.

[Sireewiree]

Thanks for advice. I don't like keeping them in run all the time, but at moment, we have very hungry vixen in area. Not ready for deaths yet! Will free range while I'm in garden with soppy Labrador (she innocently deters the foxes). Have been hanging greens etc and they have a big dustbath.

 

Like idea of dog crate in run, thanks. Difficult to identify main culprit as they're all at it to certain extent, will continue to watch and manage any injuries. They're now happily in coop for night. Love having them, so hope this is over soon as I can't stop worrying. Silly sod.