Adopted neighborhood stray chicken

[new_chick_mama]

Hello! There is a situation where family moved out across the street and left their rooster, and 2 hens. I had no idea they had moved out until recently after finding out that the rooster had been hit by a car. I have my 9 of my own chickens that are 13 weeks old. I love animals in general and could not bear the thought of the 2 remaining hens being left to their own devices searching around garbage cans for food. Before I could do anything, one of the hens vanished completely. (I live in Belize.. loose dogs and opossums) The other hen was skittish, but I started feeding corn to her everyday for about a week to get her a little more comfortable with me, while I was searching for where she went to roost each night. Night before last, I found the spot in her old backyard. She was inside a falling over, rusted, and dilapidated coop.
I created a temporary space for her yesterday and quickly captured her yesterday evening.
I've taken some pictures of her eyes, face, feet, and general body. She appears to be a barred rock favorelle cross... Seems fairly healthy considering... she is quite quick and very vocal. she surprised me with a very pale tinted egg this morning.
Any feedback would be great as to her condition. Im going slow with her. Giving her electrolytes in her water, healthy food. Adding a bit of garlic and herbs. She has a great appetite and drinks plenty of water.

 

[new_chick_mama]

Good for you! She looks so sweet. It was amazing of you to take her in. Just be careful that she and your other chicks are separated, you don't want her to pass them anything.

yes, I don't have space to have them far apart right now... but the situation could not be helped... Her droppings look good, and I have looked at her skin and do not see anything... I use food grade DE with my chicks in their bedding and dust bath area.. and used plenty for her too.. I love her so much... she has an opinion about EVERYTHING lol very chatty!!!

 

[Anne02]

Hello! There is a situation where family moved out across the street and left their rooster, and 2 hens. I had no idea they had moved out until recently after finding out that the rooster had been hit by a car. I have my 9 of my own chickens that are 13 weeks old. I love animals in general and could not bear the thought of the 2 remaining hens being left to their own devices searching around garbage cans for food. Before I could do anything, one of the hens vanished completely. (I live in Belize.. loose dogs and opossums) The other hen was skittish, but I started feeding corn to her everyday for about a week to get her a little more comfortable with me, while I was searching for where she went to roost each night. Night before last, I found the spot in her old backyard. She was inside a falling over, rusted, and dilapidated coop.
I created a temporary space for her yesterday and quickly captured her yesterday evening.
I've taken some pictures of her eyes, face, feet, and general body. She appears to be a barred rock favorelle cross... Seems fairly healthy considering... she is quite quick and very vocal. she surprised me with a very pale tinted egg this morning.
Any feedback would be great as to her condition. Im going slow with her. Giving her electrolytes in her water, healthy food. Adding a bit of garlic and herbs. She has a great appetite and drinks plenty of water.

Good for you! She looks so sweet. It was amazing of you to take her in. Just be careful that she and your other chicks are separated, you don't want her to pass them anything.

 

[new_chick_mama]

just wanted to update everyone.... she is doing great. and really enjoy soft pets... I stroked under her chin and on her cheeks and she got heavy in my arm and fell asleep....

 

[rosemarythyme]

Very nice of you to patiently gain her trust and then rescue her!

If she and the others were wandering the neighborhood before, any diseases she might have have likely already been passed on, so quarantine is probably a moot point.

 

[new_chick_mama]

Aw. She seems really nice.

thank you... yes, she let me pick her up.. she complained, but she let me... I felt the bottoms of her feet.. peaked between her feathers then sat her down. baby steps!

 

[Anne02]

thank you... yes, she let me pick her up.. she complained, but she let me... I felt the bottoms of her feet.. peaked between her feathers then sat her down. baby steps!

Okay. Well, even if you can't have her real far away from your others, at least wash hands really good between them, and shoes if possible.

 

[Anne02]

yes, I don't have space to have them far apart right now... but the situation could not be helped... Her droppings look good, and I have looked at her skin and do not see anything... I use food grade DE with my chicks in their bedding and dust bath area.. and used plenty for her too.. I love her so much... she has an opinion about EVERYTHING lol very chatty!!!

Aw. She seems really nice.

 

[new_chick_mama]

Ahh ok. Then yes if possible you would want to quarantine her for a few weeks, if possible. If not, she does look pretty healthy, but it's up to you.

yes, normally I always quarantine anyone coming into the fam... in this situation, it just was not possible to have her farther away from my flock..
but they are not in the same enclosure.. I will not do supervised introductions for at least 3 or 4 weeks.. Thanks for letting me know she seems pretty healthy to you. I'm trying to balance inspecting her with not overwhelming her.

 

[new_chick_mama]

Is she going back and forth across the street every day? Do you have a coop to put her in and leave her in it for a few days to let her get accustomed to it so she will realize this is her new home? Chickens are creatures of habits and routines and she will develop a new habit and routine. Treats help a lot especially if she has a favorite.

yes, she was crossing the street every day. that's why I made a coop for her up here and she's now with me. no more crossing the street.. she has dirt to scratch in.. clover and grass clippi gs. clean wood shavings. clean water and regular food. she is thin, but seems healthy. ill watch her weight now that she has access to food all day and healthy treats.. turns out she loves being held and pet. . fell asleep as I rubbed her head, cheeks, and under her beak..