Eyes closed in the afternoon?

[Gypsi]

The pecking order is being re-established and I think it's time for fresh sand in the run @SmiYa0126 .

 

[SmiYa0126]

Post pictures!

 

[Gypsi]

Wonderful!

I have determined that she is the hen that was sleeping by herself at one end of the perch before she closed her eyes, because that is where she is sleeping right now. Perhaps the other hens were discouraging her from eating? I need to clean the coop, get some fresh sand in the run, and I think I need to worm everyone as well - 2 of my americaunas have combs paler than I like right now. I've noted fresh sand is helpful and I don't know why. Unfortunately I have a soggy yard the wheelbarrow is going to sink in, but I will see what I can do with a wagon instead of the wheelbarrow

 

[SmiYa0126]

I have determined that she is the hen that was sleeping by herself at one end of the perch before she closed her eyes, because that is where she is sleeping right now. Perhaps the other hens were discouraging her from eating? I need to clean the coop, get some fresh sand in the run, and I think I need to worm everyone as well - 2 of my americaunas have combs paler than I like right now. I've noted fresh sand is helpful and I don't know why. Unfortunately I have a soggy yard the wheelbarrow is going to sink in, but I will see what I can do with a wagon instead of the wheelbarrow

I recommend adding another feeding station that's hidden. I have a bench on it's side in my run and have food there so that if anyone gets bullied, they can hide and get feed. Can you do something similar?

 

[Gypsi]

I recommend adding another feeding station that's hidden. I have a bench on it's side in my run and have food there so that if anyone gets bullied, they can hide and get feed. Can you do something similar?

I can, but I'll have to do it tomorrow, I don't want to put too much food out for rodents that might visit tonight. I need to work on that run tomorrow too. And clean the coop.

 

[Gypsi]

She is so much better, her facial wattles are not quite as red as her sisters but I had to look very closely at all of them to identify my "sick" bird. I think the single bowl of food in the coop was keeping 3 hens slightly undernourished so I added 2 feeding stations this afternoon, and some rooster booster in their fresh bucket of water, plus I added a bowl of oyster shell calcium inside the coop. I have determined that she is the barnevelder with the most black on her feathers. Just for future ID purposes @SmiYa0126 Closeup is my girl with the formerly white cheeks. They are sharing food today. She had been away yesterday, that seems to have recovered, but there are 2 more dishes. Thank you for your help

 

[Gypsi]

After noticing that 2 of my Americaunas also have pale combs, I've added 2 feeding stations, and I made some eggshell water, over the last couple of days, diluted with tap and offered to the hens. I also crushed up 6 calcium citrates and added to their 2 gallon water bucket. I have a funny feeling the reason those 2 americaunas aren't laying is they are insufficient calcium as well. They dumped the bowl with crushed oyster shell chips, they may have eaten some but I think it's approaching a crisis point to get calcium in these birds. It has been over a year since I changed the run sand but the yard is current too wet for the wheelbarrow and I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment for that kind of work. @SmiYa0126

 

[SmiYa0126]

After noticing that 2 of my Americaunas also have pale combs, I've added 2 feeding stations, and I made some eggshell water, over the last couple of days, diluted with tap and offered to the hens. I also crushed up 6 calcium citrates and added to their 2 gallon water bucket. I have a funny feeling the reason those 2 americaunas aren't laying is they are insufficient calcium as well. They dumped the bowl with crushed oyster shell chips, they may have eaten some but I think it's approaching a crisis point to get calcium in these birds. It has been over a year since I changed the run sand but the yard is current too wet for the wheelbarrow and I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment for that kind of work. @SmiYa0126

What I do sometimes is dose anyone that looks lethargic and pale. I have two that are weak birds that I'll dose sporadically. You can do it at night or dusk so it's easier. Just stuff the pill into their beaks. @Gypsi

 

[Gypsi]

I stuffed a pill in 3 beaks last evening. Have determined they won't drink water with Calcium citrate in it, but they like my boiled eggshell water. Making more @SmiYa0126

 

[Gypsi]

@SmiYa0126 I am also thinking about changing my chicken feed. Last bag of Layena looks yellow, like more corn less calcium. I have this hen in her dog crate again, and shoved a calcium pill down her throat this morning, i wormed her and the 3 lavender americauna on Sunday with Valbazen on Sunday. She had done ok sleeping with her flock and seemed to be eating ok until saturday then she started going down again