The Poultry Keeper

alliet · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Brighton

Ok firstly, we bought 4 pullets on 22nd of June and they are ok they dont mind being held. When they start laying, will they become 'bitchy' lol.

Secondly, I have seen some solids but whenever I see them poop it looks like chicken korma (had to get the picture in your head lol) its really yellowy and exactly like it, and liquidy, is this normal?

Thirdly, my friend said when they bought some hens that were already laying, the first egg on the first morning didn't have a shell! Is this possible? How?

Ohh yeah fourthly they have nesting boxes and a perch but they choose to sleep on TOP of the nesting boxes (they have a whole ex wendyhouse)

Fifthly, Can you sort of mulch down their beaks a little they look lethally sharp and I dont like it when im holding them and they turn and look at me and give me the eye like they're gonna peck me.

Finally, did you ever look under their feathers? Its really gross its like plastic, and the feathers are all lumpy underneath, and criss-cross each other under the skin like stitches. It made me cringe
Confused

CP · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 2:48 am Post subject:

It's nice that they already like being held. Sounds like they'll be really friendly ones. Very Happy

Sometimes you can get a 'bitchy' hen but mostly they live together quite amicably. So there's no telling, until or if, it happens.

Is their poo always the same or is it mostly normal with just the odd yellowy one? Every 10-12 or so poos they do a runnier, mustardy coloured one. It's called a cecal poo. Here's a link to an excellent thread on another forum regarding poo, complete with pictures! Shocked

http://forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewtopic.php?t=7956590

Shell-less eggs do happen occasionally, especially when they're starting or ending laying.

To teach them to perch you have to place them on the perch after they've roosted for the night. It may take several goes or more before they get the message but some never do.

You shouldn't interfere with their beaks unless they have a problem with them - badly deformed or broken, for instance. Leave them as nature intended. Wink

alliet · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Brighton

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1322 Location: Dublin, Ireland

CP · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:15 am Post subject:

I would worm them to start with unless you know when they were done last & only feed them pellets with no treats for at least a week to see if the poo improves.
As you've only got them recently the change in feed & accomodation can be enough to upset them for a while.

If the beak is really split then you should cut off the flappy part (if there is one) carefully or maybe file it down. But you must be really careful you don't take it back too far or you will make it bleed. Shocked

If it's only a tiny split I would just keep an eye on it & only do something if it gets any worse.
Or you could take that one back to where you got them from for them to do it for you. Wink

alliet · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Brighton

Yeah, I saw a normal poop come out today Very Happy

They are slowly developing weird habits, I always wear trainers up to the run and one of them has decided she likes pecking at them, so when im sorting out the food or water, she sneaks up behind me and tries to have a go at them. I also think we're gonna have an egg soon, one of them has a fully developed comb which looks redder than the others, and she squats when you touch her back. Do you guys put food and water in coop at night? My neighbors put it in the shed which I read you should do, but our friends keep it in with them. It just annoys me in the morning to find sawdust in the food and water.

CP · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:18 am Post subject:

They don't need food & water in the coop overnight. They won't eat/drink when it's dark anyway. Wink