Why do chickens eat each other?

Answer by  TGR3 (14)

Chickens raised in crowded conditions with harsh lighting and poor quality feed often turn on one another in response to environmental stress, to assert dominance, or to supplement nutrients via consumption of skin, feathers and body parts. The attraction of the flock to an injured, bleeding chicken further exacerbates the problem as cannibalistic activity among chickens is a learned behavior.

Answer by  SunnyStars (836)

Chickens are omnivorous which means that, they eat both plant and animal matter (this includes chickens). However, if a chicken did eat another chicken (not only will it be more likely that it will happen again) but the chicken may be sick, fighting over space/control or extremely hungry/nutrient deprived.

Answer by  quisqualis (1756)

Chickens are cannibalistic due to crowding, Which stresses them. Since they need protein, they cannot resist a dead member of their own species.