Chicken Injury/Illness?????????

[BigBuckSnort]

I bought 4 pullots (hens I hope) last week. 2 barred rocks and 2 araconnas. The biggest Barred rock has a sore on its comb, looks bubbled up and black colored. Today that chicken seemed kinda weak and not active. It also drank a lot of water when I was down there. I then noticed that the other BR had 2 small "warty" spots coming up on its left warble (the red part under its beak, im not too keen on chicken anatomy). I have also noticed that one of the other chickens beak closes off centered, or crooked. Is any of this common? I have been feeding them cracked corn, and one night I gave them some boiled noodles. Thanks.

 

[jjthink]

I will let others comment on the injuries/illness but just wanted to quickly chime in on my way back out the door to let you know their diet needs at bare minimum to consist of hen layer food and oyster shell available 24/7, along with fresh water at all times. I like to add sunflower seeds and fresh fruit and veggies to these important staples. What you are feeding them has no nutrition to speak of.

This website will give you lots of good basic care info - it doesn't sound like you were in receipt of basic info before getting the birds.

If your birds weren't getting proper care where they came from they are likely quite compromised right now. I might give them a few drops of Polyvisol a day for at least a few days to help strengthen them (pharmacy should have). Be careful giving it - maybe add to a little piece of fruit or something so they swallow of their own accord and don't choke.

Then consider getting them ona good allr ound supplement like Avia Charge 2000 - a little goes in their water daily. You can order it on line.
JJ

 

[PeeperKeeper]

I'm not an expert, but if there is anyway you can post a picture, please do. These guys here at BYC are great! And have helped me a lot. My only suggestion until you get some more info and advise is to keep these new girls seperated if you have other stock at home.
God Bless :aww

 

[BigBuckSnort]

I actually had 3 different people tell me to only feed them cracked corn or layer mash when thay get a little older. I try to keep fresh water for them, but it is gone every morning. Do chickens drink this much? I mean, the bowl holds probally 20 oz. and I know they are not knocking it over.

 

[jjthink]

Lots of people give out wrong info - happened to me too. Some 13 years ago when 2 roos showed up in my yard (my first chickens) the feed store said to feed them just scratch. Scratch is also just a treat, and like cracked corn, is not a mainstay of diet so the feed store was grossly misinforming people. It's kind of like us trying to live on corn chips. It's saddening/maddening because many birds suffer as a result of misinformation from so-called experts. Good for you for coming to this site to find out what to do.

Do you know how old the birds are now? I assumed laying age but should double check. Are they laying eggs?

Agree with PK - if you can possibly post photos that would help a lot. Meanwhile, get them started right away on the foods noted above (if the birds are much younger the best food may be a different food so try to give us best estimate of age or provide photos) and that will help strengthen them to overcome whatever problem(s) they do have.

JJ

 

[BigBuckSnort]

I think the Barred rocks are sbout 15 weeks old, the EEs are somewhat smaller but close to the same age, but neither are laying yet. I was told they would probally start in November. I gave them some cantelope and sunflower seeds today. I will try to take a picture and post tomorrow

 

[jjthink]

FROM BYC:
Starter ration until they are 8 weeks old, grower ration until they are 18
weeks old, then layer ration; or combination starter-grower until they are
18 weeks, then layer ration. It is a good idea to supplement the layer
ration with ground oyster shell. Oyster shell helps keep eggshells thick.


Sunflower seeds and cantelope are very good choices for snacks - I'm sure they enjoyed! But these birds need to also right away get on a nutritionally balanced feed as their mainstay - described above - right away or they will have increasing problems and ultimately won't make it.

Good, about the photos.....

JJ