Hello from Central Texas! Also, need ? answered.

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faith0428

faith0428

Hatching
8 Years
May 1, 2011
8
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7
My husband and I and our four kids live on a little over 7 acres north of Austin, TX. I have always wanted chickens for the benefit of fresh eggs. After years of wanting chickens (and remembering having some as a child), my husband and I decided to get some little chickies for our 4 kids for Easter. We bought them from the local Tractor Supply Company and were told they were about 2 weeks old. We turned a good size dog crate into a brooder (new term I learned here!) and set it up on the back porch for our 6 little peeps to grow in while we are building them their permanent home (a coop and enclosed run). We are hoping to use this adventure as an opportunity to teach our children about nature, responsibility, and enterprise. Hopefully one day we will have enough eggs to keep some for ourselves and sell some too.

Well, a week into things we are already having trouble. After only two days, one died from constipation. We did all we knew to do after reading about it online, but the little one still didn't make it. Well, a few days later, somehow our mini schnauzer got to one and killed it. Still not quite sure how that happened. So, now we are down to 4 and they have all been doing very well.

Or, so I thought. I just went out to check on them and something is up with one of them. On it's wings and tail (where the adult feathers are coming in) there are bloody spots and it is pecking at itself. The other chicks are pecking at it too. Any ideas what it might be? Don't think I can submit a picture since I'm new, but could probably email if you want to message me your address. I think I managed to correctly upload some photos of the chick to Flickr. Here is the link where they can be seen. http://www.flickr.com/photos/faith0428/sets/72157626499475961/

Thanks! And I'm so happy to have found such a wealth of information in one place and so many people willing to help one another.
 
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I'm sorry about your losses
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. But.. I've read on here chickens are attracted to the color red (Blood is red last time I check
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) You might want to try washing the blood off, with a little paper towl and some warm water. Or, you could try making something to cover those spots... goodluck!
 
Welcome to BYC. I recommend you buy some Blu-Kote or Blue Lotion from your feed store and put it on the areas of the chick where she was pecked/picked on. Ensure you are feeding them chick starter/grower, it has a higher protein content than layer feed. Overcrowding will cause picking as well...consider expanding your brooder. Good luck.
 
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from Ohio. So glad you joined. After you put on the blue kote (and be careful you don't get it on your hands, it stains something awful) Also use a red heat lamp? It makes everything look red so they don't pick at each other.
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