- Mar 16, 2014
- 43
- 4
- 59
Hi everyone, . I happened to stop by my local feed store and they had "retired"gold comet and RIR hens. (I assume from an egg operation because all their beaks are dubbed).
I figured to be nice, I'd give them a home and maybe get a few eggs too.
(I also picked up 6 more hens from a neighbor shortly after. I didn't intend to but they are 2 year old comets and lay massive eggs. They have been in a 4×6 coop their whole lives and look terrible .they are nutrient deficient. I received 4 large eggs today and 1 leathery one. They have been eating each others feathers and had poop balls stuck to their feet. But despite this these 6 seem otherwise healthy.
The problem started with the 2 from the feed store:
On the first day, I noticed they didn't stray far from the pen. Only a few feet. While my 2 barred rocks happily run out to free range. I figured this was because they have never been able to do so.
After several days, they still have not laid an egg. (I know they are 3 years old and will not lay like a young hen).
At night, I hear them sneeze-cough-wheezing.
Now one of my barred rock hens is starting to exhibit the same symptoms. She has also stopped laying and is breathing with her mouth open. (My barred rocks are 1.5 years old).
I don't know what it is. From reading similar lost, I got some vet RX and applied it warm directly to their nose, waddles, and comb. As well as misted all others with a spray bottle containing 2 cups warm water and 3 tabe spoons vetRX.
they all exhibit a healthy appetite and drink water.
I added electrolytes and probiotics to their water.
I figured to be nice, I'd give them a home and maybe get a few eggs too.
(I also picked up 6 more hens from a neighbor shortly after. I didn't intend to but they are 2 year old comets and lay massive eggs. They have been in a 4×6 coop their whole lives and look terrible .they are nutrient deficient. I received 4 large eggs today and 1 leathery one. They have been eating each others feathers and had poop balls stuck to their feet. But despite this these 6 seem otherwise healthy.
The problem started with the 2 from the feed store:
On the first day, I noticed they didn't stray far from the pen. Only a few feet. While my 2 barred rocks happily run out to free range. I figured this was because they have never been able to do so.
After several days, they still have not laid an egg. (I know they are 3 years old and will not lay like a young hen).
At night, I hear them sneeze-cough-wheezing.
Now one of my barred rock hens is starting to exhibit the same symptoms. She has also stopped laying and is breathing with her mouth open. (My barred rocks are 1.5 years old).
I don't know what it is. From reading similar lost, I got some vet RX and applied it warm directly to their nose, waddles, and comb. As well as misted all others with a spray bottle containing 2 cups warm water and 3 tabe spoons vetRX.
they all exhibit a healthy appetite and drink water.
I added electrolytes and probiotics to their water.
