- May 3, 2010
- 4
- 1
- 9
We have had chickens for about 3 years but took a year and a half off because we moved. We started with Buff Orpington chicks. We NEVER had any problems with them. We bought them as chicks from a feed store sometime around Easter.
We moved this summer (back home) and recently got 6 Golden Comet pullets from an auction. They said they were 24 weeks old. Well.... we learned our lesson because shortly after we got home we realized they had sticky beaks and one had a bubbly eye. I went to our feed store and they gave me powder antibiotics to put in their water. I did this for 14 days (because after 7 days they were still sick) After that treatment, they are all well except the one with the bubbly eye. It is now crusty and her upper beak looks really swollen and pink. I am not sure what to do. We also lost one of the 6, so today we had 5. Until.....
We went to Walmart!!! At our Walmart we have a non-fenced retention pond where Geese, ducks, turtles and such live and are always being fed by passers-by.
So we drive by and my son (8) says, "Mom! Look at that chicken!" Sure enough, standinf with the white Aflac ducks is a Golden Comet (RSL).
Please do not ask me what came over me. I felt a huge need to"help" this hen. What on earth was she doing in a Walmart parking lot pond with no homes anywhere close by and no shelter.... hanging out with geese and ducks????
My mission was simple. Upon leaving Wally World I was going to snag a box, get the chicken, go home and live happily ever after with my family, dog and SIX (not five) Golden Comet free range hens. Riiiiiiiiiiiiight.
We get the hen in less than a minute, pur her in the box and come home. Our hens were free ranging so when we got home they all came running. We penned them all up including the newbie.
And all hell broke loose. This chick is crazy!!!! She walks around with her wings halfway open all fluffed up and attacks the other hens whether they are close or not. She even attacked my 25lb 13 year old dog!!!!
Now, she is not agressive to us. We can walk right up to her and pick her up without a hitch. She is like a baby. But let me tell you.... she has pecked my other hens one too many times. Feathers were lost and she kept biting their combs.
What should I do?? There has been no blood shed... yet. Should I just take her back? Or is there an adjustment period that I did not know about? Is she being mean because she thinks the others are sick? What is going on???
We moved this summer (back home) and recently got 6 Golden Comet pullets from an auction. They said they were 24 weeks old. Well.... we learned our lesson because shortly after we got home we realized they had sticky beaks and one had a bubbly eye. I went to our feed store and they gave me powder antibiotics to put in their water. I did this for 14 days (because after 7 days they were still sick) After that treatment, they are all well except the one with the bubbly eye. It is now crusty and her upper beak looks really swollen and pink. I am not sure what to do. We also lost one of the 6, so today we had 5. Until.....
We went to Walmart!!! At our Walmart we have a non-fenced retention pond where Geese, ducks, turtles and such live and are always being fed by passers-by.
So we drive by and my son (8) says, "Mom! Look at that chicken!" Sure enough, standinf with the white Aflac ducks is a Golden Comet (RSL).
Please do not ask me what came over me. I felt a huge need to"help" this hen. What on earth was she doing in a Walmart parking lot pond with no homes anywhere close by and no shelter.... hanging out with geese and ducks????
My mission was simple. Upon leaving Wally World I was going to snag a box, get the chicken, go home and live happily ever after with my family, dog and SIX (not five) Golden Comet free range hens. Riiiiiiiiiiiiight.
We get the hen in less than a minute, pur her in the box and come home. Our hens were free ranging so when we got home they all came running. We penned them all up including the newbie.
And all hell broke loose. This chick is crazy!!!! She walks around with her wings halfway open all fluffed up and attacks the other hens whether they are close or not. She even attacked my 25lb 13 year old dog!!!!
Now, she is not agressive to us. We can walk right up to her and pick her up without a hitch. She is like a baby. But let me tell you.... she has pecked my other hens one too many times. Feathers were lost and she kept biting their combs.
What should I do?? There has been no blood shed... yet. Should I just take her back? Or is there an adjustment period that I did not know about? Is she being mean because she thinks the others are sick? What is going on???
I guess I will chalk that up to experience under my belt! Thanks for all of your replies and concern. I have read on this forum on and off for a couple of years but never posted. There is a wealth of information and experience here!! Thank you!!!!!!
