Diving head first into the world of chickens

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foureyeddragon

foureyeddragon

In the Brooder
7 Years
May 3, 2012
58
1
43
Michigan
Hello everybody! I am totally new to the world of chickens, and am full of questions. One of my neighbor's chickens has been hanging out in my yard for several days now. I finally went over to let them know that their chicken was over in my yard and one thing led to another that resulted in me being the owner of a rather sad looking chicken. She was getting beat up by their rooster which I guess is why she decided that my grass was much greener looking. She is missing a lot of feathers on her back and runs to the back of her coop when I go to check on her. I kept her locked in the past couple of days, I am hoping to have her free range and was told to lock her up for a few days to make her famaliar with her new home. Her coop is what use to be a dog house that was built into the wall of the garage. It needs some upgrades to make it a proper coop, but I was more worried about her getting eaten by a coyote than making it perfect right away.

The first two days that I had her she just cowered at the back of her house, today when I opened the door to check on her was the first day that she was up and walking around in there, so I let her out today. Hopefully I will be able to catch her tonight!



The first two days I had her she didn't touch her food, today when I let her out it was all gone. The neighbor said that I could come over and get food from them, but I don't feel right doing that. I went to TSC last night to look at food and there was a dizzing array of options. The neighbor was feeding her something that was mixed with oyster shells, they said that was to help the eggs not be soft. However, I didn't see any feeds that already had any type of shell in them.

Anyway, any tips and help would be appreciated!
 
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Yes, you need to keep her locked up for several days in her "area" so she will figure out that she now lives there. If you let her out too soon, she may wander off and not come back. Once they learn where home is, they will always return.

Get some layer feed for her. Oyster shell is not mixed into feeds. You either can by layer feed with it already formulated in, or a flock raiser to which you add oyster shell in yourself. If you are buying from TSC, I believe they offer Purina Layena, or DuMor, both feeds made for laying hens. Check the bottom of the bag for the tag and glance over it to make sure it has at least 3% calcium or more. Also pick up a bag of pullet sized Oyster Shell which you can offer up in another small container. The oyster shell is a good calcium source and she will eat at it if she needs more calcium for hard egg shells.

Enjoy your new chicken!
 
Any Laying mash or pellet is usually Plenty good .. As I bet you spoil her with treats as you go .. this time of year a lot of chickens are molting and losing their feathers .. I had a new Rooster who I wanted .. and he hid on me for a week would peek around the place just long enough for me to catch a glimpse and know he wasn't eaten by Coyotes .. but he warmed right up now he comes and knocks on my sliding glass doors if he thinks I need to feed him : )
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Welcome to the Chicken world
 
Hi and welcome to BYC. I use Layer pellets and a little oyster shell. I only used to give them the pellets but found a couple of eggs without shells. Since i have given the oyster shell as well the eggs have been fine and i have had no more trouble. As a treat i also give them corn and they love some cabbage. Good luck with your new chicken.
 
what kind of chicken. how old.
basics i use are:
layer feed for layers put in a feeder
oyster shell free choice with some on the pen area ground as well ( helps for egg shell )
grit free choice through some on the pen area ground as well ( helps with digestion )
corn scratch put next to feeder and on the pen area ground
treats scatter around pen area ground ( meal worms, wax worms, greens left over dinner ) checks to see what is toxic to chickens first before giving them your left overs
water for drinking with or without intact apple cider vinegar.
that should get you started
 

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