There can be a number of reasons why your chickens are pecking each other. The most common reason is to enforce the hierarchy your flock has established within, known as the “pecking order.” Other reasons can stem from the weather, nutritional issues, overcrowding, boredom, environmental changes, and excessive light. It’s important to identify the cause of the pecking so you can effectively correct the issue once and for all. Here are 5 ways to stop pecking in your coop.
1. Temperature Control
Though we can’t control the weather, we can control the temperature of our coops and enclosures. By limiting the heat build up in the coop, you can prevent a lot of unnecessary pecking from occurring. An overheated chicken is an angry chicken, so do your best to provide shade, a cool area, and plenty of water to keep your flock content during the warmer months.
2. Keep Them Entertained
Chickens thrive in a highly stimulating environment, and what’s better is that chickens are easily stimulated! Keeping fun and intriguing toys and fixtures (swings, cabbage on a string, ladders) will keep your flock too busy to peck each other. If a chicken gets bored, pecking may be their next stop. Pay attention to the most popular toys and objects in your coop and try to provide even more of them for your flock!
3. Don’t Change Too Quickly
Whether you’re moving or renovating your coop, chickens aren’t fans of change. Sometimes it’s inevitable, but there are steps you can take to keep your flock stable during the transition. So try keeping their old waterers and feeders, as this will provide some comfort for them. If you’re upgrading coops, try to keep fixtures in the same area of the previous coop to avoid confusion. Another great way to limit stress is to keep your flock entertained and distracted during the transition with their favorite toys and treats!
4. Know Your Limits
Although it’s nice to bring a new chick or chicken home every now and then, it’s not always practical for certain living conditions. Chickens require the space and freedom to roam and be on their own. If you can’t provide at least 3-5 sq. ft. of space in the coop per chicken, you might have a pecking problem. It’s ideal to shoot for 10 sq. ft. of outdoor space per chicken too. Overcrowding can cause chickens to feel the need to compete for their resources, which leads to serious pecking issues.
5. Check Their Diet
Poor nutrition is known to cause aggression and pecking. Make sure you’re giving your flock a good quality laying feed along with vitamins, electrolytes, and diatomaceous earth to prevent parasites. Along with checking food frequently, be sure all your chickens are getting plenty of access to water. So try to keep their diet in check, because a lack of resources plus a lack of nutrients is a recipe for disaster.
Once you’ve identified the root cause of the pecking in your flock, you can address the issue in a more direct way. If you’re observing your flock’s behavior daily, you’ll quickly be able to see when something is amiss. We hope these tips help to keep your flock happy, healthy, and pecking-free!