Chickens peck each other until they bleed: what to do with cannibalism, causes and treatment, how to deal

Poultry farmers often face various problems that are associated with the behavior of poultry. It often happens that they begin to behave aggressively, pluck feathers and even arrange bird cannibalism. There are a lot of reasons for such behavior, so it is important to know what to do if the chickens peck each other until they bleed.

Why do chickens peck each other

The causes of inadequate and aggressive behavior in birds are directly related to the conditions of detention, diet and problems in the relationship of poultry.

Illumination of the room

Too much light in the house can cause nervousness and increase aggressiveness in chickens. Since they can easily see the blood, the birds begin to peck at these places.

Crowding

Chickens can become more aggressive if they don't have enough space. This is especially true for birds that are constantly indoors, without proper comfortable conditions. Pecking also begins due to competition and competition for food.

Breed incompatibility

Experienced farmers note that cannibalism is more common in laying hens than in beef breeds. Therefore, it is impossible to keep them in the same house, otherwise enmity will begin. You should not add new hens one by one - females can immediately peck at the “new one”.

Dry air

Often, birds peck at their relatives due to excessively dry air in the room. Due to dryness and dust, parasites appear on the body of chickens, which lead to irritability and nervousness.

Dramatic environmental changes

Regular change of environment causes stress and aggressiveness in birds. In addition, during the cold season, there is a need for plumage growth. Due to the lack of vitamins and elements, birds may begin to peck at each other.

Food

Often, birds peck at their relatives due to poor nutrition, as well as a lack of drinkers and feeders. With an insufficient content of trace elements in food, strong individuals can beat weaker representatives to death.

Microclimate in the chicken coop

It is important to ensure that the poultry house maintains a balance of temperature and other indicators. Due to dryness, the feather becomes brittle, irritation of the mucous membranes occurs, and nervousness is noted in chickens. It is also required to exclude drafts.

Ectoparasites

Cannibalism can be caused by ectoparasites: ticks, fleas and lice. To get rid of them, chickens begin to peck at the inflamed area of the cloaca, pull out feathers, and damage the mucous membrane under the tail.

Signs of cannibalism

A visible sign that feather-biting is taking place is not only the bald spots on the birds, but also the scattered feathers around the chicken coop. Adult birds begin to peck at the comb and earrings of their relatives. With poor nutrition and low conditions, birds attack their tails and pluck feathers.

With a lack of protein, pecking of the skin, mucous membranes, body tissues and toes is observed. Injured laying hens lose weight, become sick and weakened, and lose the ability to incubate eggs.

Ways to solve chicken cannibalism

In order to avoid the appearance of general pecking and serious behavioral problems in poultry, you need to monitor the nutrition of chickens and the conditions of their keeping. Comfort and the right diet will not only eliminate pecking, but will also improve egg production:

1. First, eliminate sick and injured chickens, as the blood will attract other birds.
2. Make a dietary adjustment - it is important to enrich food with calcium, vitamins and minerals. It is useful to give bone meal and table s alt.
3. Create comfortable conditions in the poultry house - keep clean, adjust lighting, eliminate drafts, install ventilation for optimal indoor humidity.
4. To get rid of parasites, it is recommended to pour ashes with sulfur and river sand to chickens.
5. Expand the coop and give the chickens space.

Too aggressive representatives must be fenced off or slaughtered, because they will not be weaned.

Treatment of sick individuals

As soon as the first signs of pecking are detected, layers with damage will need to be removed immediately and provided with the necessary assistance.

First Aid

The main and first action in such a situation is the removal of the wounded bird from the flock and isolation until complete recovery. Attention should be paid even to those chickens with minor wounds, as other individuals increase aggressiveness. To avoid infection, it is recommended to place the chicken in a separate cage.

Treatment of wounds

Next, immediate treatment of wounds with antiseptic solutions will be required. With a local lesion, such remedies are suitable: penicillin, ichthyol or synthomycin ointment, tincture of iodine with glycerin, peroxide, brilliant green. Disinfectants will help prevent infection of wounds and possible complications.

Bird care

Further measures include regular antiseptic treatment, change of dressings (if any), as well as monitoring the condition of the affected bird. If the chicken has a lack of appetite, infection cannot be ruled out. In this case, the help of a veterinarian and the appointment of drugs for the bird will be required.

How to prevent pecking?

To prevent pecking, you need to take action before the first signs appear. Otherwise, aggressive behavior and attacks on chickens can become a habit, and then it will be extremely difficult to fix the problem.

Debacking

This method is one of the ways to prevent pecking in young animals. As a rule, this procedure is carried out on large poultry farms, using a special device. The beaks are cut to one-third of the length of the young.

You can debeke chickens at any age, starting from the daily allowance. However, the most optimal option is to perform the operation on the sixth or seventh week. This procedure should be carried out exclusively by specialists who know about all the nuances of debacking: the length by which it is necessary to shorten, as well as the timing of the operation.

If done at home, it increases the risk of bleeding or bone damage, which is fraught with infection.

Genetic selection

There are breeds that are difficult to grow and breed, because the young have a low survival rate. Such individuals have increased aggressiveness from an early age. If they do not cut their beak, they can kill their relatives. Thanks to selection work, it is possible to breed calmer breeds. If such chickens are present in the livestock, they should be used for meat.

Proper nutrition

The diet of chickens should be varied. In addition to compound feed, they will need vitamin supplements, as well as fresh grass and vegetables. These products contain minerals and substances that are necessary for growth and development. The following vegetables are allowed: zucchini, pumpkin, beets and carrots. It is also recommended to hang a nettle broom, a head of cabbage or grass in the chicken coop.

Light mode

Adult laying hens require separate shaded areas in the coop and direct sunlight should be avoided. Sunlight is needed only for chicks in the first days of life. Lighting is also recommended in the house.

In cold periods, chickens will need to extend the daylight hours - for this, they turn on the light for a couple of hours in the evening. However, the lighting should not be too bright - a 60-watt light bulb is suitable, which can first be painted over with paint .

Use Beak Abrasives

Special devices are used to prevent pecking in birds. Since they are sprinkled with quartz sand, birds grind their beaks and claws about them, like sandpaper. Such abrasive materials are often added to feed. In this way, chickens gradually wear down their beaks and become practically safe for the rest.

Free range birds

During the warm period of time, it is recommended to keep birds all daylight hours in free space. Thanks to free range, chickens grow and develop quickly, and chickens become less restless. Also, thanks to free movement, birds find pasture, which contains vitamins and other substances. Over a large area, they rarely come into contact with each other.

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