We were woken at about 2 am but a ruckus. On investigation one of the Light Sussex cockerels and 7 of the pullets gone. One of the hens (GLW X RIR) upset and limping around the yard.
I closed up the coop (something we don't usually bother with). In the cold light of day lots of feathers in the yard. Our flock is down to 5 hens one pullet and two cockerels.
Very sad.
I'm having a hard time convincing my girls to lay in their new nesting box. I've tried fencing off the blackboy which is their current preferred laying spot and even putting a piece of chicken wire over the nesting spot but they are determined.
My latest tactic has been to build a small yard around the nesting box with no other desirable nesting spots but they're no match for my amateur fence building. Last night I moved the old cot that I use as a broody breaker and placed it upside down against the nesting box.
Cramped quarters for 5 chooks, I know, but much better than battery hens get and it was only to be for half a day. The result? Four escapees and four eggs under the blackboy!
We head out of town for a few days tomorrow so I'll try again when we return later in the week.
Anyway, here are today's eggs.
Any idea why one is so small?
Surely one of my 8 week old pullets hasn't started laying!
We were woken at about 2 am but a ruckus. On investigation one of the Light Sussex cockerels and 7 of the pullets gone. One of the hens (GLW X RIR) upset and limping around the yard.
I closed up the coop (something we don't usually bother with). In the cold light of day lots of feathers in the yard. Our flock is down to 5 hens one pullet and two cockerels.
Very sad.
We were woken at about 2 am but a ruckus. On investigation one of the Light Sussex cockerels and 7 of the pullets gone. One of the hens (GLW X RIR) upset and limping around the yard.
I closed up the coop (something we don't usually bother with). In the cold light of day lots of feathers in the yard. Our flock is down to 5 hens one pullet and two cockerels.
Very sad.
I had that happen and every one that got those symptoms died. I never took them to the vet cause i didn't have any money. You are running them at a really strange temperature though. They look young enough to be still having a 30 to 35 c heat source for nights and you could probably let them out for daytime.Hello Fellow Aussies Would love some advice, I've read sooo many things on the BackYard Chicken forums that i'm feeling overwhelmed. I'm currently raising 4 week old Silkie Bantams in a hired brood box in my garage. I originally had 6 chicks (2 x Splash, 1 x Black, 3 x White) however lost 1 x white chick within 24hrs and a 2nd white chick a week later. They did not have pasty butt or appear to have respiratory problems, they just diedYesterday I noticed my last white chick (Named Pigeon) was sneezing and wiping its beak a lot. I checked for running nose, bubbles in eyes, watery eyes but there was nothing. I gave it sugar water and some plain yogurt (no additives). Last night it got worse, the chick is no longer sneezing but sort of makes this weird cheap on a regular basis and it also looks like its struggling to take a breath. Not panting as such but making an effort to gulp a breath. I jumped on here and researched like crazy, i've checked temp which is sitting at 28 with not much fluctuation as brood box is in a closed in area. All other chicks seem to be fine, active, eating and drinking. I've given its some hard boiled egg and some more plain yogurt and sugar water. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do? Should I buy something from vets? If yes, what do you recommend? Thanks so much Below is pic of Pigeon mid gasp.
