Completely new to chickens - High Desert south above Palm Springs, CA

[mikebarry]

New to having a chick coop. I've posted my coop and run photos under the "Coop" thread.

Originally had 8 chicks in June 2009, and now down to 4 in June 2012. The first died before evening its first molt, then two died a few months apart apparently of natural causes. The fourth died after two different episodes of, what can only be described as, a prolapsed rectum. The area under her tail was swollen, inflamed red tissue, covered in bird droppings, etc. The first time lasted for about a week and then suddenly went away (or back in). It then happened a few weeks later and after 4 days of that, we discovered her in the dead in the run. I searched the internet and this site, but couldn't find any info about a "prolapsed rectum" situation or what might have caused it.

The remaining four chickens are extremely healthy and produce eggs every night. We'd like to bring in 3 or 4 chicks to bring the flock back up, but I'm not sure how the adults will react. Has anyone had experience introducing chicks to adult chickens?

 

[TexasLea]

Hi and

Your situation and mine sound alot aike. I got my first little flock of five about 5 years ago. This spring we were down to just 2 and after nearly losing another one I decided to get some chicks.

My little ones are still in the brooder at night, but they spend the better part of the day in a small pen set up inside my run. The big girls can clearly see them and check them out. The chicks can see the big girls too and they eye them with great curiosity. I have one hen that flat out threw a fit the first day the chicks were in the pen. She bawked and bawked the whole time they were out there. I thouht she was mad about them being there, but it turns out that she was mad that she couldn't get to what she deemed a treat in the pen- chick starter. I started sprinkling a little chick starter around the outer edges of the pen for the hens when I bring the chicks out, and now they seem like they coudn't care any less that the chicks are out there.
I'm hoping that once the chicks are big enough to leave the brooder I won't have to seperate them and everyone will be okay a long as there's enough chick starter to go around.

You may try checking for information on "prolapsed vent" as that is what it is called in chickens. Sometimes this can actually be treated if it isn't too severe. I've heard of people actually using Preperaion H on a hen for it believe it or not.

 

[TwoCrows]

from New Mexico!

 

[kidcody]

from washington state glad you joined us!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard.