Claire Thompson
Chickens will always peck at each other a little, as it is an essential part of establishing a pecking order or hierarchy within the flock. However, sometimes this behaviour can become problematic, especially when new chickens are introduced, or when chickens are kept in overcrowded or stressful conditions. To prevent this, it is important to ensure that your chicken coop is large enough, with adequate floor space, roosting space, and feeder space for all your chickens. You should also provide enough entertainment and stimulation to keep your chickens occupied, such as chicken swings, hanging veggies, or chicken treats. If a chicken does get injured, it is important to separate it from the rest of the flock, as they are attracted to blood and will continue to peck at the wounded chicken. One method to stop the bleeding and cover up the red is to use flour on the wound.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Coop size | 4 square feet indoors and 10 square feet outdoors per bird |
| Overcrowding | More likely to peck |
| Overheating | More likely to peck |
| Excessive light | More likely to peck |
| Genetics | Some breeds are more likely to peck |
| Chicken health | Sick or injured chickens are more likely to be pecked |
| Chicken diet | Lack of protein in the diet can lead to pecking |
| Chicken boredom | Boredom can lead to pecking |
| Chicken entertainment | Chicken swings, logs, branches, hanging veggies, and chicken blocks can prevent boredom |
| Chicken introduction | Introduce new chickens at night or in large groups |
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What You'll Learn
Provide enough space
Providing enough space for your chickens is essential to prevent them from being hen pecked. Overcrowding can lead to boredom, overheating, and frustration, all of which can trigger pecking behaviour.
When planning your chicken coop, ensure that you have adequate space for your flock, including enough floor space, roosting space, and feeder space. As a general rule, each chicken should have a minimum of 4 square feet of indoor space and 10 square feet of outdoor space. This space allowance can vary depending on the size of your chicken breed, with larger breeds requiring more room.
In addition to the coop size, providing an outdoor area where your hens can free-range is beneficial. This not only gives them more space to roam and explore but also provides distraction and stimulation, allowing the pecking order to become settled more quickly. If possible, let your chickens roam in an open yet fenced area to ensure their safety from predators.
By providing ample space, you can reduce the chances of pecking behaviour and promote a peaceful and healthy environment for your flock.
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Introduce chickens correctly
Introducing new chickens to an existing flock can be a tricky business, and it often leads to problems with pecking. There are several things you can do to help the process go smoothly. Firstly, make sure you have enough space. Overcrowding is a common cause of pecking, so ensure your chickens have adequate floor space, roosting space, and feeder space. The recommended allowance is 5–10 square feet per bird.
Next, introduce the new chickens at night. This will give the flock time to adjust to the newcomers without conflict, as chickens are less likely to peck at night. Introducing multiple new chickens at once can also help to avoid issues, as the focus will not be on a single new bird.
Before introducing new chickens, check your existing flock for any external parasites, and make sure all birds are healthy. Chickens will often target weak or sick individuals, so it's important to prevent the spread of disease and keep your birds in good condition.
Finally, keep your chickens entertained and stimulated. Boredom is another common cause of pecking, so provide your chickens with plenty of distractions. This could include hanging vegetables, chicken swings, or logs and branches to stand on. You can also give them a block to peck at, like the Purina® Flock Block™, which encourages natural pecking instincts and provides nutrients.
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Keep chickens entertained
Chickens are easily bored and require stimulation to stay entertained and healthy. Here are some ideas to keep your chickens entertained:
Dust Baths
Chickens love dust bathing, which helps to reduce parasites and keep their feathers healthy. Provide a clean, dry dust bathing area in a sunny spot, and consider adding fresh nesting herbs for a sweet-smelling experience. A kiddie pool filled with sand also makes a great dust bath, just ensure regular cleaning.
Foraging Opportunities
Chickens love to forage, so providing any type of litter for them to scratch and search through can be entertaining. This can include fresh litter, piles of mulch, leaves, hay bales, or even food and treats hidden within the litter (just ensure any uneaten food is removed at the end of the day).
Hanging Treats
Hang up vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, pumpkin, or melon, and your chickens will enjoy trying to peck at them. Just be mindful of the 10% rule and remove the veggies after they've had enough to avoid overfeeding.
Treat Dispensers
Create your own treat dispenser by poking holes in a plastic bottle and filling it with chicken treats. The chickens will be entertained for hours as they kick and roll the bottle around to get their treats.
Auditory and Visual Stimulation
Hang up bells, a toy xylophone, or old CDs to create interesting sounds and visual stimulation for your chickens. They are fascinated by moving, shiny objects, and their reflections, so consider adding mirrors near the ground in their run.
Climbing Structures
Build climbing structures or jungle gyms in the coop using hay bales, timber pallets, or sticks. You can even buy chicken swings and climbing frames online if you don't want to build your own.
Live Insects
If you can get your hands on some live insects, chickens will go crazy trying to catch them in the coop. Just be aware that a few insects may escape the chickens' grasp!
By providing a variety of entertainment options, you can help keep your chickens happy, healthy, and mentally stimulated.
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Cover wounds
It is important to treat chicken wounds immediately. Chicken skin is thin and prone to tears and bleeding, and open wounds on chickens are susceptible to infection. Therefore, it is crucial to identify an injury quickly and apply treatment.
Firstly, isolate the injured chicken. Set up an isolation cage with proper bedding, a food dish, a water bottle, and enrichment materials. It is recommended to keep the chicken isolated until the wound heals, as otherwise, the pecking will likely resume.
Next, stop any bleeding. Put on vinyl gloves and hold a clean cloth to the wound until the bleeding stops. You can also use styptic powder or cornstarch to help stop the bleeding.
Once the bleeding has stopped, clean the wound with a saline solution. You can make your own saline solution by mixing 4 cups of cooled boiled water with 2 teaspoons of salt. If the wound is deep or particularly dirty, use a syringe or dropper to ensure it is thoroughly cleaned out.
After cleaning the wound, apply an antiseptic to prevent potential bacterial or fungal infections. Blu-Kote is an easy-to-use antiseptic that kills germs and speeds up the healing process. You can also use Neosporin, but make sure it does not contain painkillers.
To cover the wound, you can use bandage wraps to provide support and protect the wound. Vetrap bandage wraps are ideal for wound care for chickens because they do not stick to and pull feathers when removed.
If you need to return the chicken to the flock before the wound has healed, you can use a wound spray that comes pre-dyed, usually in blue or purple. The dye conceals the wound so that other chickens are not encouraged to peck at it. However, isolating the chicken is a more effective option than using wound spray.
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Manage light
Light control is an important aspect of managing chickens and preventing feather pecking. Here are some guidelines to follow:
Wattage and Bulb Type
If you use supplemental light during the winter months or in regions with shorter daylight hours, it is recommended to use a 40-watt white light bulb or lower in the chicken coop. If you need a higher wattage to sufficiently light the space, opt for a red or infrared light bulb. Red or dark heat lamps are also recommended for brooders to ensure chicks get enough sleep.
Duration of Light Exposure
Hens should not be exposed to more than 16 hours of total light per day, including both supplemental light and natural daylight. Too long light periods can lead to hyperactivity and an increased desire to forage, which can contribute to feather pecking if their urge to forage is not satisfied.
Nesting Box Lighting
It is advisable to keep the nesting boxes in the coop dark. You can use nesting box curtains to create more private and dark nesting spots for the hens. This can help prevent vent pecking, as having a exposed vent can make a hen more susceptible to pecking from companions.
Dim Lighting to Reduce Aggression
If you notice aggression or cannibalism in your flock, dimming the lights to an intensity of 0.5 to 1.0 foot-candles may help mitigate these issues. This can create a calmer environment and reduce the visibility of red marks or blood, which can trigger feather pecking.
By following these guidelines for managing light in your chicken coop, you can help prevent feather pecking and maintain a healthier environment for your flock.
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