Hens from Egg Farm- In need of assistance

[birdygirl123]

Hello!,

So lastnight we drove out to pick up 30 hens. I had no clue they were as beat up as they are!. Any assistance would be so appreciated

!.. Love you guys!.. ~Barbie

 

[ChickNanny13]

Check for mites/lice & give a good look over. Feed a good diet (Flock Raiser, All Purpose, All Flock; higher protein than layer), Oyster Shells in a separate dish also make grit available for them.

What are the ages? Almost looks like molt but it could have been over crowding also. If you were going to add them to an existing flock, keep them quarantined for at least month to watch for any illness. They look "healthy" aside from the feather loss ...

Best Wishes with your girls

 

[Sarah Johns]

I would put organic Apple Cider Vinegar in their Water & FOOD Grade Diatomaceous Earth in with Food, as well as in a sand/dust bath box!

 

[birdygirl123]

Check for mites/lice & give a good look over. Feed a good diet (Flock Raiser, All Purpose, All Flock; higher protein than layer), Oyster Shells in a separate dish also make grit available for them.

What are the ages? Almost looks like molt but it could have been over crowding also. If you were going to add them to an existing flock, keep them quarantined for at least month to watch for any illness. They look "healthy" aside from the feather loss ...

Best Wishes with your girls

***
They are pretty heavy birds.. On the smaller side, but good weight. I had someone mention putting Blue Coat on them, but wanted to hear from others who may have had hens from these types of situations. Is there something general I can use such as bathing them, or dipping them or something just in case they do have mites? Like an overall thing people do when buying new birds? Some do have leg bands also. =)

 

[Eggcessive]

They appear to all be molting. Many people get chicks, and let them lay eggs for a whole season. Then around 16-18 months old and once a year afterward, they will have a molt, lose mmost feathers, and stop laying until they finish molting in 1 or 2 months.

I would feed them a 20% Flock Raiser feed while in molt, and place a container of crushed oyster shell and another of grit out for them to eat as they need. Later, when they are back to laying, you can switch to a layer feed.

Check their areas under vents and wings for any signs of lice or mites. Check into BluKote for bare spots, or some chicken saddles to use while they are bare. Here is a good article about molting with pics:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/12/molting-what-is-it-and-how-to-help/

Remove the leg bands since they may become embedded in the skin, and circulation can be cut off if they become too tight.

 

[birdygirl123]

Here are two other pictures.

 

[birdygirl123]

Thanks everyone for your help.. xoxoxox

 

[red horse ranch]

It looks like your hens were in overcrowded conditions which caused them to feather pick. I would spray the affected areas with blue kote. Looks there are too many with the problem to apply anti pick lotion to the affected areas and a spray would be easier. But they do look healthy with plenty of weight. Good luck with your new ones!

 

[Patinas]

I agree with the other posters that you should feed them a higher protein diet such as flock raiser or any starter/grower and give them oyster shell and grit.

Even though you said they aren't skinny, the purpose of the higher protein is to help them grow back their feathers, whether they are molting or feather picking, they need the protein to produce new feathers.

Also as said, check them for external parasites to make sure that is not contributing to their feather loss.

Best of luck bringing them back to top condition!