why are my chickens pecking each other to the point of rawness? They have plenty of room, fresh water, good and plenty of feed.They don't seem to be stressed. Are they lacking some mineral or vitamin? HELP
I can't tell why they are doing this from what you describe, but put some pine tar on the wounds to stop the picking. Sometimes it's supposed to be caused by too much white light, but I think sometimes they just start doing this because something looks like it needs picking. Put the pine tar on with a stick, and the picking will stop. You can find this at farm stores and tack shops. They can't stand the taste.
Cannibalism is a vice developed in confinement. It is aggrivated; sometimes caused, by protien deficiency. Remedies include: reduced lighting, finely grinding feed, anti-pick lotions, introduction of interesting objects, feeding meat, raising feed protien level, trimming beaks, debeaking, raising waterers and feeders so behinds are not exposed. The biggest cause of cannibalism is confinement. Once it starts, you must stop it immediately, or start losing birds.
With my Pheasants I read to use Oats. Haven't had this problem with my chickens. Might want to give it a shot. Worked with the Pheasants. Oats are inexpensive, place on top or mix with feed.
By Dr. Bruce Smith (Brucesmith) on Sunday, March 14, 1999 - 09:01 am:
By John deSaavedra (Johnde) on Tuesday, March 16, 1999 - 07:18 am:
By scott hoppa (Scotth) on Wednesday, April 28, 1999 - 09:41 pm: