How do I stop my chickens from pecking each other?

There could be a number of reasons why your chickens are pecking one another; firstly I’d look at their environment, check that there is enough space, and the right number of feeding and drinking stations for each chicken to have easy access. Have you recently introduced new chickens to the flock, are all your chickens in good health, or do you need to check your chickens for lice or mites? All of these cause stressful situations, which can start a pecking habit.

Remedy any of these factors first and add Vit Boost Poultry Tonic to their water, to support their immune systems during times of stress. ‘Cage enrichment’ can also be a good idea to help discourage bullying and improve the happiness of your flock but interest in toys is generally short-lived, they should be used for short periods and swapped regularly. Dust baths, perches, flower pots to jump on, piles of leaves and bits of turf to pick over can be better ways of enriching their environment and limiting boredom that can result into pecking.

If, after checking space and drinkers you still have a pecking problem, consider popping the bully bird in a broody cage (with food and water) inside the run for a couple of days to reset the pecking order.  If that doesn’t work you may need to use Nettex Anti-Feather Pecking Spray. 

This deterrent spray has a strong odour and foul taste to help discourage biting, pecking, plucking and cannibalism.  It also contains antibacterial agents that will help cleanse minor skin wounds and abrasions and support the healing process.