2018 Newbie Chat!

[CannedMonster]

ANOTHER chick with a huge obstructed crop!!!!!!!!
What am I going to do!?!
We had to put down the last one.
This one is already smaller than the others at a week old.
I knew I shouldn’t have started them on the smaller flake pine shavings!
I saw one chick eating them and went to TSC and bought large flake.

I tried giving it olive oil to break up the mass but I can’t figure out how to get the chick to swallow it

 

[PNW_Peepers]

ANOTHER chick with a huge obstructed crop!!!!!!!!
What am I going to do!?!
We had to put down the last one.
This one is already smaller than the others at a week old.
I knew I shouldn’t have started them on the smaller flake pine shavings!
I saw one chick eating them and went to TSC and bought large flake.
View attachment 1469763
View attachment 1469764
I tried giving it olive oil to break up the mass but I can’t figure out how to get the chick to swallow it

Is it still impacted? Try coconut oil instead. My chicks always had full crops in the evening, by morning it had always gone down. silly chicks eating what they shouldn’t!

 

[CannedMonster]

Is it still impacted? Try coconut oil instead. My chicks always had full crops in the evening, by morning it had always gone down. silly chicks eating what they shouldn’t!

It is.
I even talked to a vet but they don’t want to clear the crop surgically without anesthesia and that in itself could kill her.
I finally got her to take the oil. I have been massaging her every few hours.
I withheld their food last night and her crop seemed smaller but only slightly.

She’s starting to peep a lot and isn’t as vigorous as the others.
I’m going to keep trying and I pray for her. I know it’s just a chick but I know God can help her so why not?

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Picture Overload:
Here’s the before and after on what we accomplished this week.

Subfloor and bracing held up by jacks.

9 concrete support blocks were added, connected to 4x4 vertical bracings that we’re attached to 4x4 beams running ten feet underneath the coop. We now have cross braces!

Nest box before (above)

Nest box after (above)

 

[PNW_Peepers]

It is.
I even talked to a vet but they don’t want to clear the crop surgically without anesthesia and that in itself could kill her.
I finally got her to take the oil. I have been massaging her every few hours.
I withheld their food last night and her crop seemed smaller but only slightly.

She’s starting to peep a lot and isn’t as vigorous as the others.
I’m going to keep trying and I pray for her. I know it’s just a chick but I know God can help her so why not?

Poor baby. Chicks are so fragile, I sure hope a miracle happens for your little. I’ll pray for her too. At the end of the day You’ve done all you can for her!

 

[Melissacoop]

Hi everyone! I’m a newbie! Have 4 3 week old babies. Had them for two weeks and two days. I’ve had them outside since we got them since we live in Florida and the temp is high eighties and 90’s. They were in a dog cage but we just built a run for them and they love it!! We also let them free range in the yard under supervision of course. We don’t have a coop for them yet. Didn’t think they would be ready so soon but now I’m wondering if they need it now?? They currently are sleeping on a roost in their pen. Is this ok. They’re very happy babies!!

 

[CannedMonster]

Hi everyone! I’m a newbie! Have 4 3 week old babies. Had them for two weeks and two days. I’ve had them outside since we got them since we live in Florida and the temp is high eighties and 90’s. They were in a dog cage but we just built a run for them and they love it!! We also let them free range in the yard under supervision of course. We don’t have a coop for them yet. Didn’t think they would be ready so soon but now I’m wondering if they need it now?? They currently are sleeping on a roost in their pen. Is this ok. They’re very happy babies!!

Welcome!
Chicken wire will not keep out predators.
It will keep chickens where you want them so it has its uses but it won’t keep them safe from predators, especially night predators.
It’s flexible and predators like raccoons can reach through the holes and will literally pull pieces of the birds off.
You want to get hardware cloth that is at least 1/2” or less.
It’s also important to dig an area around the coop and put down an apron of hardware cloth down 12” to discourage digging predators.
Chickens are always on the menu and pretty much everything likes them unfortunately.

I didn’t see if your set up has protection from rain or excessive sun but you’ll want to address that.
Some chickens will lay their eggs out in the open occasionally but mostly they prefer a fairly private safe spot.
Cute chicks!

 

[llombardo]

I think we have an egg coming

This morning the barred rock was in the nest box, scratching, butt up, panting and just looking miserable. My boy Prince stayed right by her and seemed to be guarding her, but genuinely concerned.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm a newbie, too. Just ordered my first 4 chicks to arrive in a couple of weeks. Can't. Friggin. Wait. I have researched the heck our of coop design (and it helps that I am also experienced with interior design), and I am going to get started. Everything should be good to go once they arrive.

I have been reading through this thread, and it is really helpful - especially all the difficulties. I feel better prepared.

 

[Aunt Angus]

It is.
I even talked to a vet but they don’t want to clear the crop surgically without anesthesia and that in itself could kill her.
I finally got her to take the oil. I have been massaging her every few hours.
I withheld their food last night and her crop seemed smaller but only slightly.

She’s starting to peep a lot and isn’t as vigorous as the others.
I’m going to keep trying and I pray for her. I know it’s just a chick but I know God can help her so why not?

I hope she's ok.