Mimeograph Series No. 16 
May 1945
AGRICULTURAL 
EXPERIMENT 
STATION
of The Alabama 
Polytechnic 
Institute, 
Auburn, Ala.
0 0 0 
A . M.J'Funehess Dreior 
*
C.0MNBALISM AMONG CHICELS
Do Fe KinG, Poultry HIusbran
Of the several forms of cannibalism' among chickens,*somo of the
most common are toe picking, egg eating, feather eating, body picking, and
a condition known as prolzapse of the oviduct, or pick-out,
Crowded Conditions Main Cause
A summaery of the different causes of ccnnibalism shows that th
major factor is crowded housing conditions. Practically every case of the
habit can be directly er indirectly traced to this one cause.r
the brooder house is one of the first mistakes usually made. Therefore,
every effort should be made to provunt cannibalistic habits from getting
started by providing sufficient space in the brooder house. Each chick
should have at least ono-half.square foot of floor space in the brooder
house. Placing too many chicks under one brooder is another common mistake.
Not more than 400 chicks should be brooded in one unit under one brooder
tove, regardless of the eize of the brd r -nom. 
Even when. the
principles are adhered to, the growing chicks must have more room after
they reach the age of about 8 weeks. At this time the cockerels often can
be removed to allow more space for the young pullets. During the remainder
of the growing season, the pellets should have ample roosting spaceand, if
possible, unliited range. Deponding on size, each 
pullet requires from 6
to 10 inches o~f space on the roosting pole. One a- cre or more of range
should be: provided for e-ach 100 pullets.
When- transferred to ltaying quarters, each pullet will need the
following: from -3 te 4 squarre feet of floor space, 8 to 10 inches of space
on the roosting pole.s, and 3 inches of hopper feeding spcace. One roomy
dark nest should be provided for ach eight hens.
Imotpc fKqn 
id u
Dark Nests Helpful
When pullets come into production, or after hens have come back
into production following a molt, the loacal parts n the vnt become
flexible for a few day4,thus permitting the tendbr red cloacal membranes
to protrude from the vent immediately after the egg is laid. 
When a bird
leaves the nest with this red membrano exposed, she immediately bucomes
the center of attraction. The entire flock persistently picks at the
exposed cloaca until the intostinal tract is stripped out In some cases
the intestin is nriot destroyed, but the laceoration is so sere that th
bird dies. Well-darkened nests encourage hens to remain on the nests for
a longer period of time after laying; thus they are helpful in preventing
pick-outs. Tocking burlap curtains over the front of the nests is an easy
way to make them secluded and dark Pullets usually stand on the entrance
platform and await their turn to lay. To prevont these birds picking the
pullet that has just laid, the platform or runway may be removed from the
lower tier of nests, Nests should be constructed well in advance of the
time pullets are expected to start laying. The birds should be encouraged
to lay in the nest rather than on the floor or ground, since the latter
practice encourages cunnibalism.
Feeding and Cannialis
Accumulation of hard fat in the abdomen tends to cause the cloaca
to become flexible and protrude from the vent. A grain ration with a
vdriety of grains and mash, rather than an all-corn ration, will kop the
fowls in good condition and reduce this tendency. In some cases canni-
balism is promoted by irregular fouding and a mineral-deficient diet.
Mash should be kept before the birds continually, with plerty of hopper
space provided; also, unlimited amounts of oyster shell and sand 
should be
availcable at ll times.
Prolapse is often caused by constipation. To relieve this condi-
tion, Epsom salts may be fed at the rate 
of one pound per 100 maturo birds,
or one-half to three-fourthsoa.f a pbund per 100 growing birds once ovary
month, or as needed.
The feuding of whole outs is often helpful in controlling canni-
balism. Addition "of meat products to the mash or the foding of fresh moat
scraps is usually of no value in stopping this habit.
Extra amounts of common salt fod to chickens showing cannibalistic
habits has been found to often check the troublo. The common recommendation
is to add 1 t blospoonful to salt to each gallon of water consumed during
the forenoon for 3 days aMn ropeat this treatment a.few days later if
necessary. Sprinkling a little salt on top qf the mash sevexal times daily
for 3 days also has been found effective in stopping an outbreak.
When fooed hoppers are elevated abouL 12 to 18 inches above the
floor, birds standing on the floor are inclined to pick the vents of the
birds eating the mash. The hoppers may be raised far enough above the
floor to eliminate this temptation, or the feeders should be placed directly
on the floor.
-3-
Dr.rk Houses Effective
One of the best methods of controlling connibalism, especially in
young chicks, is to darken the entire house to such an extent that the birds
can se only to got around and eat. Window curtains 
of a medium dark
colored material may be used for this purpose. Care must be taken, however,
that the houso is wQll vontilated a zs a warm stuffy house encourages oanni-
balism.
Anit-Pick Devices
Several types of devices for preventing cannibalism are on the
market. Each is usually effective and may be attached to pullets when
they are housed for winter, or to old hens at time of molt, without affect-
ing egg production. Some of these devices are attached to the beak so that
the birds cannot pick one another; however, there is no interference with
eating. Other devices act as glasses, preventing one bird from seeing blood
or wounds on another. There are also metal shields which attach to the tail
head of the bird and protect the vent and a device for cutting the tip of
the upper beak. All are considered satisfactory, but should be used only
as a lst resort. Tar or commercial paints may be applied to the wounds
of picked birds to prevent other birds from killing them. However, these
products are of only temporary value.
Prevention Easier Than Cure
Regardless of what methods are used to prevent cannibalism, once
the habit is established, it is difficult to control. Since over-crowding
is the major cause, every effort should be made to prevent cannibalism from
making its appearance by providing adequate space at all times. There are
always numerous signs of trouble far in advance of actual mortality. Rest-
lessness, feather eating, feather picking, and bare backs are some of the
signs to be wvatched for. When these signs appear, crowded conditions
should be relieved at once.