Foster mom to 5 Silkies .. completely clueless

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PaperKitty

PaperKitty

Hatching
6 Years
May 11, 2013
3
0
7
Slidell, Louisiana
Hi everyone!
My friend raised these silkies from chicks and when she bought the house that her husband & her were renting, the insurance company pulled a fast one on them. Long story short: They said the chickens were fine and then once the year long contract was signed, they said "Oh no! The chickens have got to go!". She asked me to foster them for the next year.

We have the full set up, supplied by my friend, and they are all very healthy. We are in care of 4 hens and a rooster. But I am having some issues/concerns..

1. The chickens attack us when we enter the run.. first it was just the rooster ("Chippy"), now the rest of them do it too. They didn't when we were first introduced to them, then a day or two later they started. What can I do to regain their trust?

2. I noticed a LOT of mosquitoes in the coop when trying to retrieve eggs (we have hay in the bottom of the coop). What can I do to get rid off or ward off the mosquitoes that will not be harmful to the chickens?

3. Only one chicken has been laying eggs for the past couple of days. How long can a chicken go without laying an egg? Is this a sign of something bad?

4. *this is kind of gross* One of the chickens (I don't know which) has had a few loose droppings. It's mucusy looking. Should I be concerned?? The rest of the droppings I have seen have been normal. None of them have been lethargic .. they are all bawking around and being kooky chickens.

Thanks <3
 
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chickens are easily stressed by new thing coming into their life. This can delay laying for some time until they feel secure again. Treats are the way to a chickens heart. Give some small amount of treats like black oil sunflower seeds, etc. Shake the can when you are approaching so they associate that sound with good things ie, Big human bringing good stuff."

You don't want to go overboard or like kids they will shun their regular food and be waiting for goodies instead. They can also have mashed egg yolks, greens, plain unsweetened yoqurt, grapes,
The rooster may be a different story - they get very protective of their flock and may consider you a predator and not allow you to pet or pick up the others.

Have you asked your friends what to do about the one with the problem? You can post symptoms on the "emergencies, disease, injuries, treatment" thread . You may also want to put a chair near their run/coop and just observe them., or speak quietly to them so they get accustomed to your presence. That should perk their curiosity. Incidentally Silkies are not known for great egg production.
 
Thanks! I am going to the feed shop tomorrow & getting some snackies for them.
I'm such a paranoid foster momma.. I'm scared "dropping"-less of something happening to them.
 

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