So I have 7 birds (1 RR, 3RSL, and 3 BSL). This is our first winter with our babies and we are chicken novices.
Four our of seven birds are looking rather roughed up. Near as I can tell, there isn't much of a pecking order (never has been with our girls). The ones who are looking rough are the four red girls.
Polly started it, and I assumed it was boredom, so we got her a flock block so she and the other babes could have something to peck at in those -25 windchill days that we kept them in. Then Sassy started missing some of her tail feathers. By the time Sassy started, Polly was bald around her vent and has just a few primary feathers left. And there isn't so much as a bump where the old feathers used to be!
Now Polly, Sassy, and Cindy have bald hienies, and Pudge is looking a little sparse.
The BSLs are looking fine, no one seems to be picking on anyone. I did a full bedding removal last week during one of the storms and treated for mites with Poultry Protector. I was unable to treat them at that point due to the windchill.
I finally got them MOSTLY treated today, though I haven't seen any mites. I am immensely pregnant (overdue, actually) and couldn't very well wrangle them alone....so I shot their tushies from afar and got their tails pretty good.
Sassy's bum is very very red.p, which worries me, but all birds are up and moving and looking good, otherwise. Laying is great as always (5-7 a day). The reds are 6 or so weeks older than the BSLs but I didn't think chickens molted so young! They were hatched in very early spring. Anyone have any thoughts? Would like to figure this out before the baby comes and the temp drops again (Maine).
Four our of seven birds are looking rather roughed up. Near as I can tell, there isn't much of a pecking order (never has been with our girls). The ones who are looking rough are the four red girls.
Polly started it, and I assumed it was boredom, so we got her a flock block so she and the other babes could have something to peck at in those -25 windchill days that we kept them in. Then Sassy started missing some of her tail feathers. By the time Sassy started, Polly was bald around her vent and has just a few primary feathers left. And there isn't so much as a bump where the old feathers used to be!
Now Polly, Sassy, and Cindy have bald hienies, and Pudge is looking a little sparse.
The BSLs are looking fine, no one seems to be picking on anyone. I did a full bedding removal last week during one of the storms and treated for mites with Poultry Protector. I was unable to treat them at that point due to the windchill.
I finally got them MOSTLY treated today, though I haven't seen any mites. I am immensely pregnant (overdue, actually) and couldn't very well wrangle them alone....so I shot their tushies from afar and got their tails pretty good.
Sassy's bum is very very red.p, which worries me, but all birds are up and moving and looking good, otherwise. Laying is great as always (5-7 a day). The reds are 6 or so weeks older than the BSLs but I didn't think chickens molted so young! They were hatched in very early spring. Anyone have any thoughts? Would like to figure this out before the baby comes and the temp drops again (Maine).
