Arizona Chickens

[cyborg]

..Is she new to your flock?

...My second question is do you have a new rooster that has started to try to mate and be rough with the hens? teenage Roos can be quite rough on hens!
Yesersonally would make sure that she is healed fairly well before I put her back with the flock myself

Yes, I picked up a group of 5, 6 month old Ameraucanas about 6 or 7 weeks ago, and this is the only one experiencing any problems. I do have several roosters in that age group, but as I was watching, it was the other hens pecking at her, even some of her sister Ameraucanas. This one marches to a different drummer, almost constantly bobbing her head up and down, like she is listening to a tune only she can hear. To the point that I started calling her Bob. She also seems to never look down, even while eating. When she eats, she keeps her entire head parallel to the ground, so she is really pecking blindly at the food. With her cheek tufts I can't see how she can locate any food, but with enough in front of her, she does get some down. She seems otherwise healthy, but socially, she seems to be in a world of her own, pretty much ignoring all the other chickens.

 

[DesertChic]

I have a question.

*Am I the only 1 that feeds there chickens late in the evening while their already up on the roosts or in my case in their tree? I brought them some organic sweet potatoes and a few bites of organic grass fed meatloaf! -.-

I typically feed my birds wet, fermented feed in the morning, snacks in the afternoon, and I fill my flock's feeder with dry food for the last time of the night around 4:30 - 5:00 for their "twilight feeding". Then I just let them enjoy for as long as they like and close up the coop after it's dark. The only time I gave them night feedings was when I was training them to return to their coop at night instead of finding someplace out in the run to rest for the night. I don't see anything wrong with you spoiling them with nightly treats. It should help them keep warm all night and send them to sleep with loving, happy thoughts of their indulgent mommy.

 

[DesertChic]

Yes, I picked up a group of 5, 6 month old Ameraucanas about 6 or 7 weeks ago, and this is the only one experiencing any problems. I do have several roosters in that age group, but as I was watching, it was the other hens pecking at her, even some of her sister Ameraucanas. This one marches to a different drummer, almost constantly bobbing her head up and down, like she is listening to a tune only she can hear. To the point that I started calling her Bob. She also seems to never look down, even while eating. When she eats, she keeps her entire head parallel to the ground, so she is really pecking blindly at the food. With her cheek tufts I can't see how she can locate any food, but with enough in front of her, she does get some down. She seems otherwise healthy, but socially, she seems to be in a world of her own, pretty much ignoring all the other chickens.

I don't really have any insight to offer, but I'm curious to hear how things progress if she recovers and you release her back into the flock. I'm curious to know if this is simply a reaction to her antisocial behavior and odd mannerisms, or if there's something physically wrong with her that the rest of the flock senses and is responding to. I've seen several posts on various BYC threads from a number of people who have chickens that just don't fit in with the rest of the flock and are attacked and rejected. A number of them claimed that this deviant chickens were perfectly social with them, but not the flock, and several people just started keeping that chicken as an indoor pet instead. Would you please keep us posted?

 

[ChuskaMtns]

Yes, I picked up a group of 5, 6 month old Ameraucanas about 6 or 7 weeks ago, and this is the only one experiencing any problems. I do have several roosters in that age group, but as I was watching, it was the other hens pecking at her, even some of her sister Ameraucanas. This one marches to a different drummer, almost constantly bobbing her head up and down, like she is listening to a tune only she can hear. To the point that I started calling her Bob. She also seems to never look down, even while eating. When she eats, she keeps her entire head parallel to the ground, so she is really pecking blindly at the food. With her cheek tufts I can't see how she can locate any food, but with enough in front of her, she does get some down. She seems otherwise healthy, but socially, she seems to be in a world of her own, pretty much ignoring all the other chickens.

Sounds like she may have some type of neurological problem. The only problem with isolating her from the others is when you put her back with the flock she may not be accepted. Give her some Poultry Cell as she might have an imbalance causing this, your feed store should carry it if you don't have it on hand. Or if you already have some other type of vitamin booster.

 

[pdx2phx]

I have one Ameraucana in quarantine now, she has been acting funny for a while, and yesterday the other chooks were pecking at her. When I came out to visit this morning, she had about a 2" bald area from the pecking, so I removed her from the run and set her up in a cage in my bathroom. She seems pretty calm and peaceful now, any ideas on how long to wait before I reintroduce her to the flock?

Chiming in on this one too -

in addition to the other possibilities others mentioned, if she just can't see well because of her head/face feathering (not only to eat/drink, but also to be aware of other chickens) that could also be part of the problem. They can be really skittish/jumpy when they can't see - everything is a surprise so they jump and run and make fearful noises which usually makes the others peck/chase...and it becomes kind of a cycle. You might want to do a little feather trimming if this could be part of the issue.

 

[City farm]

I have one Ameraucana in quarantine now, she has been acting funny for a while, and yesterday the other chooks were pecking at her. When I came out to visit this morning, she had about a 2" bald area from the pecking, so I removed her from the run and set her up in a cage in my bathroom. She seems pretty calm and peaceful now, any ideas on how long to wait before I reintroduce her to the flock?

Oh poor girl..
Honestly, something might be wrong with her? I can see one or 2 working their way up the pecking order, but this sounds like she must have some alliment of sorts.. I would try putting her out in about 2 day's, at dusk.. Then go out in the moring and check to make sure they are not attacking her.. If your schedule allows.. Unless you can let them free range with more area for her to escape..
But again, ya all have more preditors there..
Along with hiding area's as well.. Has she had any sign of illness? Keep us posted..

 

[City farm]

Yes, I picked up a group of 5, 6 month old Ameraucanas about 6 or 7 weeks ago, and this is the only one experiencing any problems. I do have several roosters in that age group, but as I was watching, it was the other hens pecking at her, even some of her sister Ameraucanas. This one marches to a different drummer, almost constantly bobbing her head up and down, like she is listening to a tune only she can hear. To the point that I started calling her Bob. She also seems to never look down, even while eating. When she eats, she keeps her entire head parallel to the ground, so she is really pecking blindly at the food. With her cheek tufts I can't see how she can locate any food, but with enough in front of her, she does get some down. She seems otherwise healthy, but socially, she seems to be in a world of her own, pretty much ignoring all the other chickens

Does she bobble her head all the time or when she walk's?

.

Sounds like she may have some type of neurological problem. The only problem with isolating her from the others is when you put her back with the flock she may not be accepted. Give her some Poultry Cell as she might have an imbalance causing this, your feed store should carry it if you don't have it on hand. Or if you already have some other type of vitamin booster.

X2..

 

[rhondita55]

On Christmas Morning, I was blessed with my 1st Blue Egg.... although it's more mint green than blue. So out of the 3, I now have 2 layers. 1 Ameraucanas and 1 RSL, the other RSL hasn't produced yet. It's small, but 1.8oz was a good size for a 1st I think. her last 3 were the same size too. The RSL is laying that size for 3 weeks now. largest one was only 1.9 oz. Boy, the Shells are hard. Went to crack it like a store egg and it didn't crack, so I cracked it again and it just made a dent in the egg, have to give them a good crack. So I guess I don't have to worry about their calcium. Then we moved the baby chicks outside. My GD had fun moving it with the quad. Filled the roost with straw and hung the light for night. Then we draped the sides because the wind was real cold that day. It's been 3 nights and they are doing fine. We hung a thermometer in the roost so while I'm inside I can see when it's time to turn on the light.

Is there something you can feed them to have a richer color? Or is it just the way the chicken lays.

 

[cyborg]

X2..

Yeah, she bobs her head standing or walking. I suspect something neurological myself, but will try some vitamin supplements too.

 

[rocobkyfm]

Yes it can bee hot for them make sure you have proper shade and enough water for the maybe a misting fan for the summer time in the winter if it seems to cold use a heat lamp from wal-mart home depot has the light bulbs also check with your local farm store