Chicken comb

[Stonechick]

Hi all, this is my first time posting. Hoping someone might be able to help please.
We have 6 chickens, 2 silkie cross which are 2 years old, 2 pekin, 2 pekin cross which will be 1 year old in August. I have noticed that 1 of the silkie crosses has grey markings on her comb and beak. Is this normal? Shes not one for being picked up, so not noticed it before now. She had a poo on the decking yesterday which was runny but is OK in herself so not sure if this would be related.

 

[boskelli1571]

Hello & welcome
The grey markings are probably within normal bounds, unless you are seeing a problem with them I would just watch closely.
The runny poop - was it a cecal poop? They can look very runny and stink to high heaven! If it was one of those its normal and you will be getting plenty more

 

[Stonechick]

Hello & welcome
The grey markings are probably within normal bounds, unless you are seeing a problem with them I would just watch closely.
The runny poop - was it a cecal poop? They can look very runny and stink to high heaven! If it was one of those its normal and you will be getting plenty more

Thanks for your reply! I think it was cecal poop as your description was quite correct! I think I am worrying over nothing but you never know.

My other silkie cross is currently broody. Do you have any advice as to what I should do with her. I normally leave her to get over it on her own, but make sure she comes out for food and water each day. We do lift her out of the coop every now and then but she just goes back in. Someone suggested putting her in a wire cat basket which sits in some shallow water to cover her feet for 24 hours with food and water, but not sure if this is the right thing to do.

 

[chelseachook]

Thanks for your reply! I think it was cecal poop as your description was quite correct! I think I am worrying over nothing but you never know.

My other silkie cross is currently broody. Do you have any advice as to what I should do with her. I normally leave her to get over it on her own, but make sure she comes out for food and water each day. We do lift her out of the coop every now and then but she just goes back in. Someone suggested putting her in a wire cat basket which sits in some shallow water to cover her feet for 24 hours with food and water, but not sure if this is the right thing to do.

There are a few ways to handle broody hens. You can take her off the nest whenever you see her on it (you are basically already doing this), and you can also put her in a cage with no hay in the sun for a day or two. She should stop soon

 

[Wezdin]

If you don't want her to be broody you will need to put her in a slightly elevated wire cage (enough so air can flow under), as Chelsea said. Make sure there is nothing in the pen but food and water

 

[boskelli1571]

Thanks for your reply! I think it was cecal poop as your description was quite correct! I think I am worrying over nothing but you never know.

My other silkie cross is currently broody. Do you have any advice as to what I should do with her. I normally leave her to get over it on her own, but make sure she comes out for food and water each day. We do lift her out of the coop every now and then but she just goes back in. Someone suggested putting her in a wire cat basket which sits in some shallow water to cover her feet for 24 hours with food and water, but not sure if this is the right thing to do.

Do not put her feet in water, that would be cruel. The wire basket suspended is the time honored method for broody breaking, but Silkies are notoriously broody, so you will be doing this often.....or buy her some hatching eggs to sit on

 

[Stonechick]

There are a few ways to handle broody hens. You can take her off the nest whenever you see her on it (you are basically already doing this), and you can also put her in a cage with no hay in the sun for a day or two. She should stop soon

If I do this, should I let her mix with the other chicken at night in the coop or still keep her separate?

 

[Stonechick]

Do not put her feet in water, that would be cruel. The wire basket suspended is the time honored method for broody breaking, but Silkies are notoriously broody, so you will be doing this often.....or buy her some hatching eggs to sit on

6 chickens are enough for us thanks

 

[boskelli1571]

6 chickens are enough for us thanks

Remember you said that.....

 

[chelseachook]

If I do this, should I let her mix with the other chicken at night in the coop or still keep her separate?

A broody hen will sit on the nest at night so I would keep her separate at night. You can move the cage into the pen at night if you are worried about foxes. One or two nights should do the trick . Good luck!