12d • General discussion
🪶Cannibalism & Feather Pecking: Understanding Causes & Prevention
This is a tough topic but an important one! Let's talk about when normal pecking becomes a serious welfare problem.
What's the Difference?
🪶Normal pecking order = Brief encounters establishing hierarchy
🪶Feather pecking = Repeated pulling/eating of feathers
🪶Cannibalism = Pecking that causes injury, draws blood, leads to death
Why It Happens:
🌾ENVIRONMENTAL
🐓Overcrowding (top trigger!)
🐓Boredom/lack of enrichment
🐓Too much light or no darkness period
🐓Bright lighting intensity
🍎NUTRITIONAL
🐥Protein deficiency
🐥Salt deficiency
🐥Insufficient methionine/cysteine (amino acids)
🤷♀️MANAGEMENT
🐤Mixing different ages/sizes
🐤Insufficient feeder/waterer space
🐤Poor ventilation (ammonia buildup)
🐤Stress from any source
🩸The Blood Problem: Once blood is drawn, it triggers MORE pecking! Red is highly attractive to chickens - the behavior can escalate rapidly to death.
Evidence-Based Prevention:
✔️Provide 3-4 sq ft per bird minimum (more is better!)
✔️ Enrichment: cabbage to peck, perches, dust baths
✔️ Ensure at least 16-20% protein in diet
✔️ Reduce light intensity if very bright
✔️ Provide darkness period (8+ hours)
✔️ Address issues IMMEDIATELY before they spread
‼️Critical: Remove injured birds immediately - blood attracts more pecking!
Your turn:
❓What's your best boredom-buster trick that keeps your flock entertained? 🎾
❓Have you ever had to discipline an overly aggressive flock mate?
9:07
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🪶Cannibalism & Feather Pecking: Understanding Causes & Prevention
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