8 week swedish flower hen breathing issues

[LaFleche]

Being inside at 8 weeks old is normal. For many they are still too small to integrate so they are in the brooder. Many don't get long sun time until they go into the coop. Even then some can't free range for one reason or another. Now if they were far older than 8 weeks then this would be a concern but this is perfectly normal to still be inside.

Well, in my opinion it is not normal.

Chicks need to be outside from the age of 2-3 weeks on to exercise, explore and get exposure to natural sunlight to prevent behavioural and severe health issues.

Of course they would need a safe coop and secure run to do so.

 

[BDutch]

2-3 weeks on to exercise, explore and get exposure to natural sunlight to prevent behavioural and severe health issues.

Yes, ^^ this is much better than keeping them inside a garage or a house with little fresh air and sunlight for 8 weeks.

 

[kattabelly]

Being inside full-time at 8 weeks definitely *shouldn't* be normal

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Well, in my opinion it is not normal.

Chicks need to be outside from the age of 2-3 weeks on to exercise, explore and get exposure to natural sunlight to prevent behavioural and severe health issues.

Of course they would need a safe coop and secure run to do so.

Yes, outside time is important but many can't keep them outside for hours every single day when they are young due to only having one coop and run and also working so they can't supervise them. They should be able to get sun and go outside as much as they can but do realize that people are trying their best but can't always be perfect. Not everyone has a dedicated coop and run setup for brooders before coop integration.

 

[LaFleche]

Yes, outside time is important but many can't keep them outside for hours every single day when they are young due to only having one coop and run and also working so they can't supervise them. They should be able to get sun and go outside as much as they can but do realize that people are trying their best but can't always be perfect. Not everyone has a dedicated coop and run setup for brooders before coop integration.

It is not about being perfect, it is about providing the chicks with the essentials for healthy development.

I know that first time chicken owners often underestimate the growth rate of chicks and the requirements for healthy development. They do not realize how detrimental it is for chicks to be kept in tight brooder boxes for many weeks on end instead of living a healthy chicken life outside enjoying nature and sunlight.

There are many threads here on BYC where first timers ask for advice because after some weeks their indoor chicks suddenly and mysteriously fall ill and they did and still do not realize the severe effect is has on the chicks' health to be deprived of proper outside exercise and natural sunlight.

Here on BYC we do not want to bash but try to educate the new chicken owners in order to help them keep their birds in overall good health which as a result will reduce the stress on the owners as well as the chicks.

In case people are unable to do so for whatever reason they should refrain from purchasing baby chicks and get POL or adult hens instead, and only purchase baby chicks when they are able to provide all the requirements for their healthy development.

But even grown hens would need to be safely quarantined somewhere far away from the resident flock for a few weeks prior to letting them join the flock.
Skipping proper quarantine can cause severe chronic health issues for the entire flock and even lead to death.

 

[BDutch]

Yes, outside time is important but many can't keep them outside for hours every single day when they are young due to only having one coop and run and also working so they can't supervise them. They should be able to get sun and go outside as much as they can but do realize that people are trying their best but can't always be perfect. Not everyone has a dedicated coop and run setup for brooders before coop integration.

A prefab coop with attached run (or similar self made) is perfect for chicks to grow up. These cost about €/$ 300 and can prevent a lot of indoor misery. The small ones are okay for about 4 chicks until they can integrate. A second coop like that comes in handy quarantining 2 new chickens too.

 

[Figgie]

So to answer, they have been getting frequent field trips to an outside run with coop until the coccidiosis. I kept them in while that course of corid was completed. They love their field trips. I would like to put them out now for good, but with the summer heat realized that unfortunately the eglu pro we had bought has terrible ventilation despite some reviews saying it performed great in far hotter climates than mine. We wired up a solar exhaust fan and shade cloth, but it isn't enough. I now read threads on here where people had to cut the eglu apart to get decent ventilation. It's also rusting in our landlocked area after just a couple months. Regrets.

So we're scrambling (ha) to find an alternative that can handle 7 chickens and are just using the attached run for outside time. It's frustrating because we had wanted to tractor them around so they could enjoy our property, but we have astonishingly bold predators here, so I'm trying to find another tractor coop with run with a coop that will lock up tightly enough to protect if the electric fence fails.

I upgraded them to an enormous brooder for night, but I'd love to get them out soon. I'm so tired of taking them in and out, and of course if it's storming or raining they don't get outside that day.

The bullying is new. The chick seems to be improving today, I've been removing the problem chicks and letting the remainder eat and drink, and she's been eating enough that her crop is at least half full.

@2ndTink I don't feel anything like that. I would say he's been less spicy than usual, but only by a small degree. Today he jumped out of the brooder to sit on my shoulder. Still panting, but seems more energetic. The room is air conditioned so it's about 75 degrees. His stool looks very normal today (solid, brown with white) as well and a good size.

I really appreciate everyone chiming in with all of your expertise. I know so much about dogs and cats, but every day is learning about chickens. I am also ill, so it's been a fun week for everyone here.

 

[LaFleche]

I am also ill, so it's been a fun week

I hope you will get better soon!

 

[BDutch]

I really appreciate everyone chiming in with all of your expertise. I know so much about dogs and cats, but every day is learning about chickens. I am also ill, so it's been a fun week for everyone here.