Cannibalism and Feather Pecking
Once chickens see blood they will not stop. Triggers include overcrowding, boredom, protein deficiency, or a sick bird singled out by the flock. Isolate any bleeding bird immediately.
Mix of AI illustrations and anonymized real cases shared by community keepers. Visual severity varies by bird, age, and stage.
Symptoms
- Bleeding wound
- Bare patches from pecking
- Bullied / hiding
- Bleeding vent
- Weight loss
Treatment
Isolate the injured bird. Clean wounds with saline, dab with blue kote or anti pick spray. Do not return until healed. For the rest of the flock, add space, distractions (cabbage on a string, perches), and check protein levels (should be at least 16 percent layer feed).
Prevention
Give 4 square feet of coop and 10 square feet of run per adult bird. Provide multiple feeders and waterers. Add perches and dust baths. Avoid red bulbs in winter (red looks like blood). Trim sharp beak tips only when other fixes fail.