The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Fieldfare on January 11, 2012, 08:32:16 pm

Title: cannibalism in chicks
Post by: Fieldfare on January 11, 2012, 08:32:16 pm

Hi all- just a cautionary tale! 20+ chicks were 'forced' upon me a month ago- wrong time of year, mixed ages and various highly strung varieties- all the wrong ingredients- a recipe for disaster! What a blooming nightmare they have been (in my 34 years of keeping hens they are the most beligerant bunch of chicks I have ever had!). It has been a real battle to prevent eating of growing feathers (and worse) particularly from a group of what look like black araucanas (beautiful and vivacious- which is why I'm still persevering with them). Today I find a silky and a lavendar araucana have been attacked around the tail- opening up yet another pen to house these in.

Docile Light Sussex- all is forgiven!

Thought I'd just share this with y'all...I know I'll get there in the end- but this is a long slog- be careful of what you take in:chook:

Title: Re: cannibalism in chicks
Post by: Sylvia on January 12, 2012, 08:24:17 am

I plaster Sudocrem on peck wounds, it seems to put the peckers off and heals wounds quickly. You have to put it on pretty thickly though.

Title: Re: cannibalism in chicks
Post by: Rich/Jan on January 12, 2012, 09:17:20 am

Purple spray from the vet is needed.  Useful for any other injuries as well.  Chickens have always had cannibalistic tendencies - if they can see flesh or a throbbing vein under the skin they immediately think its food - a worm etc.  Once blood is drawn the others are attracted by it - so purple spray/cream/whatever to disguise the open area are all good and will help but you do need to isolate the bird.  The worst time is during the moult when feathers are exposed and chickens more vulnerable.  Hope all turns out OK.  Jan

Title: Re: cannibalism in chicks
Post by: Big Light on January 13, 2012, 10:30:08 pm

Araucanas are a bit like that , need something else to peck / greenery or just lots of space, had a brooder set with same issues but they came on fine when they got out

Title: Re: cannibalism in chicks
Post by: chrismahon on January 17, 2012, 07:44:40 pm

We've had the same problem with chicks but it was resolved by increasing the amount of space considerably and removing the pecker rather than the pecked.

Title: Re: cannibalism in chicks
Post by: darkbrowneggs on January 17, 2012, 08:24:14 pm

Somtimes if the brooder is slightly too hot this can lead to aggression and pecking, so yes more space can help