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Dealing with aggressive poultry
Health & Condition
A bird that is sick tends to be picked on. A sick bird should always be isolated to protect it, as well as to stop the potential spread of infection to the remainder of the flock.
A bird that is moulting or injured in some way attracts the attention of feather or vent peckers. Lice and mite infestations often have the bird pecking at their own feathers in order to gain relief, a habit that other birds will then continue. Once blood flows, it excites even more attention and can ultimately lead to cannibalism.
Regular checks should be carried out on birds and housing to ensure that there are no external parasites. If there are, they can be eliminated with any of the appropriate products that are available from licensed poultry suppliers or vets. There is a welfare requirement for all those who keep domestic fowl, whether they are in large or small numbers, to keep them free of parasites.
A balanced diet with sufficient protein to cater for healthy feather growth is essential. The main constituent of feathers is protein, so a deficiency can soon lead to problems. A mineral deficiency or shortage of fresh water can also trigger an aggressive habit. There are now excellent free-range and organic rations available for poultry, whether they are layers, table birds or breeders, so there is no reason why any bird should suffer from malnutrition. It is not quantity but quality that counts.
Free-ranging flocks are also subject to parasitic worms, hence the importance of providing clean pasture on a regular basis. If there is a problem, the flock can be dosed with a worm preparation added to the feed. As there is usually a ‘withdrawal period’ when eggs should be discarded after treatment, an appropriate time to dose them is when they have stopped laying during the moulting period.
Summary
To sum up, the best approach is to avoid problems before they start. This means choosing a breed or strain that has been selectively bred for docility, keeping the flock size small, allowing plenty of room to range and feeding and managing them properly.
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Copyright © Katie Thear 2005