Head pecking chicks!

[Chickenbrain2009]

I have three poland chicks just over two weeks old. They are just starting to feather up. I noticed that two of them have bald patches on their heads, looking slightly sore, and that the third chick was pecking their heads. I looked up possible causes and have tried to remedy them....too hot or too cold, adjusted heat....boredom.....well its hard to entertain chicks but they will start to go outside a bit if only the weather could improve. Hungry???? I keep bunging food in and they are eating me out of house and home. 06 Someone on the net said they used Vicks vaoupr rub as a deterrent. I was a bit worried it might irritate but tried it anyway.....the chicks are not supposed to like the taste. If anything it made it worse! They are all trying to preen each others heads! 06 I wondered if their heads could itch with their feathers coming through but have never seen this in the past.
I am stumped.....has anyone any suggestions please?

Pam

 

[Chuck]

I can only think that this is early feather pecking, just because they get a taste for the feathers. I'd try a bit of anti peck spray but applied with a cotton bud just so you can control where it goes.

 

[foxy]

I agree with chuck, pop a spot of purple spray or some other anti-pecking product. What sort of heat/light do you have? Too much light can stimulate pecking in young chicks.

 

[Chickenbrain2009]

Thanks, I will do that. I thought of anti pecking spray but was worried about their eyes. I didnt think of a cotton bud. I started to turn off the lamp occasionally to reduce the heat and the feather pecking only started after that, so as someone else suggested it could be because they were cold I have put the lamp back on again. They are nearly feathered up and should be going outside in a week. I have a red light but have never had this happen before. They are not particularly overcrowded. 19

 

[foxy]

Maybe try a ceramic bulb, so there is no light emanating which should help calm them down a bit?

 

[chickenfan]

I have heard from an organic breeder of meat birds that a very tiny pinch of salt can reduce aggression in chicks.

 

[chrismahon]

I have always considered salt a poison to chickens as their tolerance is so low. Gale Dumelow (Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens) also has it in her list of poisons. Perhaps that's why it works Chickenfan -makes them too ill to fight.

 

[foxy]

Sodium is an important component in a young birds growth, in the broiler industry however, more so due to the enormous growth demands of young meat birds. Lack of sodium can actually lead to listlessness failure to thrive and feather pecking.
In our backyard chicks I would absolutely not recommend adding salt as the chick crumb should contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals for healthy, normal growth. It is worth however checking the sell by date of chick crumb as the quality of vitamins can degrade over time.