How to treat pecking wounds in chickens (2024)

March 12, 2020John

On any given day, a chicken owner knowsh Various birds can suffer peck wounds.Minced chickenare neither unusual nor particularly concerning. Formainly,Canker sores are easy to treatmetan antimicrobial poultry agent and a mild separation. However, there are cases whenchicken-poxis just the start of a bigger problem within co-op. Below you will find an explanation about pecking and how to treat the wounds resulting from this natural chicken behavior. You will find all the information you need at the end of this articlekeep your chickens healthy and pain free!

Chopping orders

In every cage there is a natural social order, the so-called pecking order. As the name suggests, this social hierarchy is established through the physical act of chopping. Largely,This form of hacking is non-violentand is instead used to determine rank.

There is a fear among new chicken owners that the normal amount of pecking required to establish the pecking order is going too far; and in some cases it certainly can. However, most of the pecking exhibited among the flock is simply a genetic predisposition in chickens to create and establish order.

Once a pecking order has been established, the leading chicken pecks at the chicken directly below her. The rest of the chickens fall into place like dominoes until there is a set order. The hen at the bottom of the pecking order needs to be closely monitored as she is the one who gets the most pecks.

Hens not only peck the chicken directly below them in the pecking order, but all the chickens below them. As a result, hens closer to the bottom of this social construct are at greater risk of pecking injuries.

Plucking feathers

Feather plucking is one of the most common forms of aggressive peckingand is usually an indication that things have gotten out of hand in the chicken coop. Unlike ordinary hoe, springis to choosewhen one or more chickens approach a smaller chicken and pluck her feathers with their beaks.

This type of choice is unbearable and is often the result of a depthr problem inside the chicken coop. Typically, chickens that have fallen victim to feather pecking need to be isolated for some time and then reintroduced to the flock.

Extreme hacking and cannibalism

Just like feather pecking, extreme pecking stems from a deeper problemkip whatup and isan indication that your chickens have become overly aggressive. Extreme pecking will be visible in deep cuts and lesions on the affected chicken. In some cases, extreme pecking is a response to a separate injury a chicken has suffered, such as when chickens go to asagging ventilation.

Often extrememe chicken pecking leads tocannibalism, which is why it is so essential to stop any form of aggression before it gets out of hand. The decision to resort to cannibalism can come quickly in a chicken coop, so it is important to be prepared to intervene and prevent this disastrous outcome. Again, any chicken that appears to be subject to aggressive behavior should be removed and isolated from the farm and reintroduced at a later date.

How to prevent aggression

There are some chicken breeds that are naturally more aggressive than others. Before purchasing a breed of chicken for your home, do your research and understand the natural habits of the bird in question. If you mix two species of birds that don't naturally get along, you might be asking for trouble.

Your chickens need space, and it's well documented that free-range chickens have staggeringly fewer pecking and aggression problems than cooped chickens. The recommended minimum amount of space available is 3 square meters per chicken to keep them evenly chilled, but the more space the better.

Setting up multiple feeding and watering stations is a must, especially if you have more than two or three chicks. Including different feeding areas helps prevent food defenses and is a useful tool in keeping aggression levels low. Likewise, having things for your chickens to peck at next to each other, such as pumpkins or watermelons, will deter them from pecking at each other.

Treatment of cuts

At a given moment,your chickens will get co*ck sores, but these are easy to treat. The best way to treat canker sores is with an antimicrobial agent. Whether the wounds are minor cuts or...large stab wounds,-inpoultry antimicrobialthe solution works best to keep bacteria at bay and prevent infection.

If you notice that a pecking wound has become infected, it is best to call an avian vet for advice on how to proceed. Careful and daily inspection of your chickens and their behavior is the best way to prevent pecking from becoming a problem. If you encounter peck wounds, remember to treat the wound and provide the injured chicken with proper care.

Reviewed by Dan Richardson, veterinarian

Dan Richardson has been a practicing veterinarian for more than 10 years. He specializes in surgery and orthopedics. Originally from rural western Nevada, Dan attended the University of Idaho for college and Oregon State University for veterinary school. The Richardsons enjoy camping and spending time fishing on the water, paddle boarding or digging their feet in the sand somewhere warm.

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