I have 2 Ameraucana chicks and 2 Rhode Island Reds that are 3 months old, that I bought from a local farm supply. About three weeks ago my neighbor gave me her three chickens that are about 6 months old. She also purchased them from a local farm supply. She had a veggie garden outside of her coop and allowed the girls to free range.
I have a coop and a run that are connected, but I can close off the run from the coop, which I have done until my babies are older. The coop has a dirt floor. None of the girls free range at my place.
I feed the younger chicks grow mash and the older girls lay pellets (they are not laying yet). I change the water every other day as well as their food. I visit with all of them every morning before work and when I get home. Up until today all has been well.
This morning, I decided to let the birds mingle in the coop under my supervision. I opened the run door and let the older girls in the coop and sure enough, the big girls picked on the little ones. The babies ran into the run so I closed the door and stayed out there with them for awhile. The food in the run is lay and the food in the coop is grow mash. So the big girls had access to the grow.
I went out just about an hour ago, and one of the older girls is tucking her head back (like a turtle) and walking backward. I can pick up as usual and all bodily functions are normal. What in the world could this be?
I have a coop and a run that are connected, but I can close off the run from the coop, which I have done until my babies are older. The coop has a dirt floor. None of the girls free range at my place.
I feed the younger chicks grow mash and the older girls lay pellets (they are not laying yet). I change the water every other day as well as their food. I visit with all of them every morning before work and when I get home. Up until today all has been well.
This morning, I decided to let the birds mingle in the coop under my supervision. I opened the run door and let the older girls in the coop and sure enough, the big girls picked on the little ones. The babies ran into the run so I closed the door and stayed out there with them for awhile. The food in the run is lay and the food in the coop is grow mash. So the big girls had access to the grow.
I went out just about an hour ago, and one of the older girls is tucking her head back (like a turtle) and walking backward. I can pick up as usual and all bodily functions are normal. What in the world could this be?
