The Poultry Keeper

strangey · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 71 Location: Cumbria

Hi All i have picked up 10, 12 month old warrens Laughing

Some questions now

1 when i picked them up they where already in cardboard boxes on letting them out one was dead does this mean it was already ill or just not looked after Crying or Very sad

2 Three out of the 9 left look reasonably good but the other 6 have barely any feathers on the best way for me to describe them is the chicken off spitting image Shocked

now will the feathers ever come back and if so how long will this take.

3 Is there any thing i should be doing to help them get better i have bought them oyster shells pellets and i will be picking up some corn in the morning

4 I have left them in there house locked up with plenty of food and water can i let them out in the morning there home is predator proof as best as it can be

5 i have a sussexs cock i have left him in with the girls is this ok.

6 will they lay eggs and how many on a daily basis or due to the shock will they stop laying (about)

I would like to say thanks in advance and i am hoping these birds will be ok in time Rolling Eyes

Welsh Duck · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:52 pm Post subject:

I assume they are ex battery birds, Would I be correct

The death of a bird is probably due to the shock of being taken out of the cages and put into a box, they have been laying for 12 months and are weak and in need of recovering. Or perhaps there were too many in the box and they smothered.

The feathers will grow back when the birds moult. It can take different amounts of time.

They will need layers pellets, fresh water, oyster shell (grit). Wheat should only be given as a treat, say a handful or two a day as a scratch feed.

They should be OK too let out in the morning, just watch over them and make sure they all go in at night.

I would have kept the cockeral away from the hens for now as if they are weak he may finish them them off!!! If they were free range birds they should be OK as should be stronger.

Once they have settled down you should get a reasonable amount of eggs.

strangey · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 71 Location: Cumbria

Thanks welsh duck

you ask where they battery hens well this is the thing i found them as the owners where advertising as selling free range eggs so i thought they where free range how wrong i could be the positive that i am taking from this exercise is that hopefully 9 poorly chickens will soon have a happy life Smile

strangey · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 71 Location: Cumbria

I am going to hijack my own post but where is the best place and product to buy for louse and mite

crazypianolady · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 793 Location: Nottinghamshire

I get supplies from either

http://www.homefarmfowls.co.uk/health.html

or

http://www.ascott.biz/

Both offer really good service, stuff arrives very quickly!

For red mite I use diatom powder, it dries the little b......s out and kills them that way. For lice I use another powder, can't remember the name at the mo! If you give Home Farm Fowls a ring they're very helpful.

Dusty · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 1042 Location: St. Asaph

Hi Strangey, good luck with your girls, I'd definitely move your cockeral until they get stronger.

strangey · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 71 Location: Cumbria

Thanks for the replies i have removed the coq and placed him on the other side

(said the vicar to the nun
lol)

Dusty · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 1042 Location: St. Asaph

Ha, he'll be upset for a while Laughing

strangey · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 71 Location: Cumbria

i am now wandering do i need to use powders ect as i am not sure if they have red mite ect or should i just use it in case they do appear

Dusty · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 1042 Location: St. Asaph

It won't do any harm to give them a dusting and worming as any 'hitchhikers' will drain their energy and they won't get the benefit of all the food.

Welsh Duck · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:22 am Post subject:

I agree, I would treat them as a precaution, it will aid their recovery Very Happy

strangey · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 71 Location: Cumbria

I Went to see them this AM 7.30 and they where all fine i let them out but 3 would not leave the coopso i have left the hatch open still a bit shy i think but the other 6 where having a good old look around.
When i went back last night there was two on the perch and the rest huddled in a corner so hopefully the others will follow suit pretty soon.

I will try and take some piccies before and after shots if you know what i mean