Advise needed for a New Chicken Momma...

[Lost Mule Ridge]

Just 3 days ago I brought home 6 hens, all with bare and sore backs, a rooster and a tractor coop. These hens are so happy here. I am giving them "treats" and calling them every time I bring food and they no longer run from me. Yesterday I got 5 eggs from 6 hens. I found a new home for Mr. Rooster - he was not much of a gentleman and only had 6 hens. Here are a few more questions I still have...

1. Is there anything I can do to help the hens backs heal and get feathers?

2. I am feeding them "Layer Feed" - is there anything else I need to be feeding them?

3. Their house (purchased with chickens included) has no roost and no nesting boxes. We want to put a roost in the hen house - but since they have never roosted on a perch, do you think they would know what to do?

4. Same with nesting boxes.... they lay the eggs on the floor of the coop. If I get them nesting boxes do you think they will use them?

Thanks in advance for your help, I will add that this has been a very rewarding hobby!!

Teresa

 

[azygous]

Welcome to chicken world and BYC!

No doubt the rooster was using the hens as door mats. To get their backs to heal, get some Blukote and paint it on all the bare skin. Then when it dries, smear in Bag Balm every day. They will both prevent infection, but the purple stuff disguises the bare skin and the pin feathers so the won't be picking them out and eating them. They are full of blood, and are tasty to chickens.

You should be providing oyster shell free choice on the side in addition to layer feed.

Go ahead and build the perches for them to roost on. Eventually they'll discover them. Same with the nest boxes. Hens love to lay in new and different spots, so they may take to them right off.

This is just the beginning. Come on back often and we'll answer any other questions that pop up!

By the way, have you discovered yet how affectionate your hens are? They really love hugs and kisses.

 

[PSJ]

i agree about the blue kote. great stuff. Glad you got rid of the rooster. I also agree about the roosts. But what you can do is pick them up every night and place them on the roosts. That will help the realize what they are there for. When you build the nest boxes, place a golf ball or ping pong ball in each one. Good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of chicken keeping