Please help with a chicken issue

**kimmee** · 10-15-2004, 11:52 AM

I have a few chickens who pick at the others backends - they have killed one cochin already by removing its insides. (these are still chicks actually - 12 weeks old) Now I have a bleeding Brahma in the bathtub. Shes not going to die cuz I caught it in time - they seem to go after the light colored ones. They have ample food, water , heat, and room to run around. I can't find any good info on debeaking and I have done what they say to discourage cannibalism. Any ideas?? Also - I can't be sure which chicks are doing it but it seems to be a few of the black stars.

**mrscornbread** · 10-15-2004, 11:56 AM

Sorry Kimmee, no clue, the only things I now about chickens is how to cook and eat. Good luck this sounds awful.

**pip** · 10-15-2004, 12:51 PM

I know nothing about chickens!!!!
(I do like to eat chicken, though.)

**Ellise** · 10-15-2004, 12:55 PM

Ditto what Robin and Pip said. Best of luck to you

**Darlene** · 10-15-2004, 01:00 PM

Sorry for your trouble, these sites might help

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/faqwhydochickens.html
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/...724566304.html

**kimmee** · 10-15-2004, 01:20 PM

Thank you Darlene - I had forgotten all about the Farm life Forum on Garden web!!

**kimmee** · 10-15-2004, 01:32 PM

Evidentally thei are establishing "pecking" order and I guess this is probably where we get that term from - who knew??

Any way the cure is to spray the chicks with a peppery spray - No Pick!! So I guess I'll be buying that today. Thanks Darlene - Couldn't have figured it out with out you!!

**Missy** · 10-15-2004, 01:39 PM

maybe i might hold off on chickens....

**Missy** · 10-15-2004, 01:49 PM

Kimmee, we have the same tub, only mine is in a cream color....and mine doesn't have a chicken.

**kimmee** · 10-15-2004, 02:23 PM

Oh - Gee you're missing out !! LOL

**Darlene** · 10-15-2004, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by mrsengeseth
Kimmee, we have the same tub, only mine is in a cream color....and mine doesn't have a chicken.

Lol Missy!

Glad I could help you out Kimmee, I know more about cooking chickens then caring for them tho. I do love to google & help people hopefully find answers to things they are wondering about, I learn a few things myself along the way too. I'm a big googlehead,lol.

**forestdale** · 10-15-2004, 09:48 PM

LOL missy. Yep Darlene came up with the answer again.

Kimmee, that chick looks like my Light Sussex. You did the right thing to remove the chick from the flock. You should never interfere with the establishment of the pecking order unless they are being extremely cruel. Pepper spray should work. One way of knowing who is the top of the pecking order is to go out to the coop after dark and look at who is sitting the highest on the roosts. They will be your top order chooks and probably the ones doing the pecking.

Good luck with them.