3 separate issues. Need help! Please read!

[JaciesCoop]

Well, I seem to have 3 different problems here and need some advise.

1st issue - A rooster with a hoarse crow. Henry is my leghorn roo. He has a very strong, deep and loud 3 note crow but this morning the 1st note is very strong but the last 2 notes are practically whezzing sounds, like a teenage boy whose voice is changing. What could be causing this?

2nd issue - One of my cochin pullets has been broody for over a week now and has quit laying at all. I have to lift her out of her nest to get her to come out. She does stay out a while and feed and run around but after about 20 mins. goes right back to her nest. She is not sitting on anything!!!! What do I need to do?

3rd issue - my buff cochin is laying about every two or 3 days but she has the poopiest butt you have ever seen. None of the other 3 have this and they have been wormed. I have been cleaning her but it just gets poopy again right away. Her droppings seem normal.
What could be the problem??

Help please!!

Jacie

 

[JaciesCoop]

Bumping this up. I really need some advise here. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Problem 2: Broody hens will just sit and sit. You are doing good getting her off the nest and down to eat and drink. As far as I know this is about all you can do, except maybe put fertile eggs under her.

 

[pips&peeps]

I can offere advice on your broody hen only. If you have a wire cage, you need to take her off the nest and put her in it for about a week, then return her to the flock. She should stop being broody. (feed & water her while in the cage)

 

[JaciesCoop]

Thank you for answering. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and when I get another egg from one of the others I'll put it under her. I have no idea if they are fertile or not! But shouldn't I keep putting her out to feed and drink even if she has an egg under her?

I think I may see the problem with Henry. One nostril seems to be plugged so he may not be getting enough air to crow so I'm going out when it warms up a little (it 22 degrees here right now!!) and clean it out with a warm cloth. That is if I can catch him!!

Then I'm going to catch Erlene the buff and clean her butt again!

Overall they all have been healthy and I want to keep them that way. It's just knowing what to do.

They are wormed. I keep the coop and pen clean and they have Avian 5000 available all the time and their diet is varied with feed and treats. So here's hoping I can get all this taken care of, without being attacked by Henry!!

Jacie

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Yes, even if she is sitting on eggs she will need to get off for food and water. If you don't see her doing so move her off. The eggs will be fine for a short period of time while she eats, etc.

Hopefully, someone with more knowledge will come along but, I do know that when it comes closer to hatching time you may need to pen her separate so the other hens don't hurt the chicks. I'm not sure though whether this is something that is comon practice or is a case by case deal.

 

[Matt A NC]

Issue 1: If he is a youngster, then it very well could a change in voice. If you can catch him, check his throat. Make sure the head and neck are straight, open the beak, and look for anything out of the ordinary(foreign object, growth, swelling, or redness). He may have strained voice. I had 2 boys get into a crowing contest that went on for a good 2 hours. Both sounded gravelly the next day.

Issue 2: If you want to break her then you need to fix it so she can't get to the nest. A wire cage works. Otherwise, wait till you have half a dozen eggs and let her have them. Make sure no one bother her. She will get off the nest every day or 2 to eat and do her business. You may not see her, but she does. If you get worried, just set her off. She will do what she needs to and them go back to her eggs.

Issue 3: a few of my Standard cochins kept getting that way. Since I wasn't planning on showing them, I trimmed the feathers under their vents(cushion). Their problem was a case of being a pig(overeating).

Matt
Morganton, NC

 

[countrygirl4513]

My cochins have a dirty butt too. I think it is a normal thing with this breed.

 

[JaciesCoop]

Hi Matt. I caught Henry and cleaned his nostrils (he was not a happy camper but was pretty good about it). It seemed to help a little but I really think his voice is changing. He seems to be trying to go from a 3 note to a 4 note crow.

I brought Erlene in and washed her butt. She was soooo good about it. Seemed to feel better.

Ruth has been out all morning. Just now finally went back into her nest. This is the longest she has stayed out in over a week.

Thanks for all the help
Jacie