Bleeding Comb

[Chicken_Pauper]

P.S...

One thing that shocked me... I had a young pullet that had been sick, was getting better, but was weak.. getting well, but sitting alone in the coop while the rest were out freeranging.... well, the hens murdered her. They attacked her and broke her neck, murdered her. They sensed her weakness and they killed her. I was not prepared for that. So.. Now, I would never leave a weakened chicken in with the flock... I learned that the hard way.

And, worming is more important than you think. Many of the "sick hen, help" or "weak, sneezing, limping, can't hold head up"... so many things can be due to worms. Not that you should worm too often.. but, use the right wormer.. Valbazen (kills ALL types of worms, but not mites).... and worm them about every seven or eight months regardless.... Valbazen is expensive.. I was able to buy some from an open large bottle at my feed store... the owner sold me just 10ccs to worm my chickens... (twice). The regular bottle is / was $50. there.. less at Jefferslivestock.com. (You have to withhold and not eat the eggs when you give most meds or worm).

When you have a question and you search... you can count on good, reliable, accurate answers from a member... dawg53.... look at the dates of the posts... choose the more recent ones.. 2010 as opposed to 2007, as we all learn as we go along...

Hang in there, you will be fine.

 

[ntjpm]

Perfect thanks so much for the words of encouragement and wisdom.

I did have a cabbage out there and it took them three days to figure out what to do with it and then it was gone in a mater of hours. I think that was Wednesday. So I had another one in my fridge and I just hung it out there and this time they were attacking it before I even got it hung up.

Besides the two without tails they all seem really healthy, no signs of mites or worms. I am using DE in the coop, on their nests, on their roosts, floor and feed. I have even sprinkled it in their dust bath box that they have and in the hole they dug instead of using they dust box. So far the RIR is my favorite she is so sweet and runs up to me to be petted whenever I come out. The Sussex mind their own business and are very quiet and the Barred Rocks are the bullies. The Leghorn just wants to be left alone too and is really a loner. Hope they figure this out cause it is torture to watch.

Here is a pic of my setup.

Some cabbage pecking;

The Coop and Run

 

[Chicken_Pauper]

That is GREAT.. beautiful hens... I do love the Barred Rocks even if they have a bully attitude sometimes...

I love your coop and run it is great, and plenty big. Very nice.

Keep in mind that DE is not all it's "advertised to be"... I have bought it, use it ... but, it does not kill worms or parasites from what I can tell. It might help a bit, and it might be good for them to eat a bit, but it does not replace chemical worming.... this is just for future reference... something to keep in mind for when you do need to worm.
I will probably even buy more DE... but, I am not as enthusiastic about it as I was before I saw it in action... or, proved it to not be all it's cracked up to be as far as parasites or worms. It does seem to help with the flies some.
I still buy and use Sevin Dust and/or "Poultry Dust" and dust the chickens, nests, roots, dirt floor, etc with that.. did it today again. Two weeks ago and again today to break any egg cycles.

Kudos on the set up for the chickens... that's really nice. Beautiful.

Thank you for sharing the pictures. Time to close out for the night... you can PM me anytime if you need to... not that I know all that much, I have been at this only one and a half years. This site has been very helpful for me, and it will be for you, too.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

You do have a nice set up for the chickens.

You asked about what kind of container to put in a crate that might not get knocked over. I was at the county fair just checking out the chickens and noticed that many poultry exhibitors used cut off plastic milk bottles. They left the handle on and cut the rest into a bowl height then twistie tied the handle to the side of the crate. I tried it and it cut down on the spills.

 

[ntjpm]

Ohh I like that idea.. I did let her out and then stuck around and every time she tried to peck at "Breakfast" the Leghorn I grabbed her and held her to the ground on her side. She was not happy with me and she did start being nicer. (at least she was when I was around)

We shall see how she does tomorrow. Thanks ladies for your help I would be lost without it.

Tracy in WA