How beat up is too beat up?

[DanielleOrbach]

Do you have another thread on it? I know what you mean about the panic attacks with weird positions, every once in a while I freak out over sheep or cow doing that run out to check it and it just looks at me funny and stands up... but I’ve finally gotten used to the chicken contortions that come with Dust bathing, though everytime someone new sees them the do it, I swear they do it on purpose, “OMGosh!!! Is that chicken ok? What’s wrong with it?” As she’s got a wing over her head, legs sticking out all funny, and is writhing on the ground gleefully tossing dirt everywhere.

I did a Google search on "do chickens sleep on their side" and this was the first thing that came up. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/do-chicks-usually-lay-on-their-sides.472087/ It is not my thread, but it is on the site. Or were you asking if I have another thread about my RIR?

 

[Chef JimmyJ]

She seems to be doing well and the others have left her alone for the most part since applying the Blu-Kote, which by the way needs to come with a warning label to wear gloves because my hands still have purple on them! LOL

Ha, got that beat! The GJ with the hole in her head was sprayed with Blue Kote. She shook her head violently, like a Dog shedding water. She sprayed Blue Kote over both me and my Daughter's faces. We both look silly with Blue Freckles! Lesson learned here too...JJ

 

[EggWalrus]

Do some observing, try to find out who is doing the pecking. I do think space is probably your biggest issue. I don't see an obvious cockerel, but I will admit that I've been fooled before, different breeds can feather at different rates. Aggressive birds can be any breed really. Some people have trouble with RIR's, I've had more trouble with my wyandottes being testy, so watching to see what is going on is the best idea. Not knowing what the parental lines were, makes it hard to say 'that breed' is the problem. Every group of birds is different, what is adequate space for one group may be way to small for another, the individual personalities and temperaments are what really matters. Cramped quarters are the biggest cause of problems. I would really make the run larger, and make sure they have adequate space for roosting, sometimes the roosting bars are a battle ground in themselves. Make sure that they have places to hide behind (but that they have no way of being cornered behind). Sometimes out of sight/out of mind can help.

Good post

 

[EggWalrus]

That's a bare minimum. Since it looks like you already have bullying issues if at all possible you should aim larger.

More space also makes it more feasible to add obstacles, additional feeders, and other things to keep them busy, which can help reduce behavior issues by providing cover and just keeping the birds busy. Adding all that to a already cramped run will eat up too much space.

Alternatively you might consider reducing the flock if you simply cannot expand due to size of yard and setbacks, for example.

More good advise!

 

[EggWalrus]

Yeah, there is definitely nesting box sleeping going on because of lack of space, but that should be remedied today, the roost area expansion is almost done.

I don't put up with nest poopers, nest sleeping won't cut it.
I block off the nests at night as soon as I detect it. Now and then a broody might sneak past for a day or two but they usually hold it till the next day when they do the broody stomp (high speed eat, drink, and poop a baseball)!

 

[Kris5902]

Ha, got that beat! The GJ with the hole in her head was sprayed with Blue Kote. She shook her head violently, like a Dog shedding water. She sprayed Blue Kote over both me and my Daughter's faces. We both look silly with Blue Freckles! Lesson learned here too...JJ

even knowing the perils of Blu Kote... here’s my bathroom sink, she also got me, the mirror and the opposite wall!

That not soap scum or dirt...

 

[chickendreams24]

Blu Kote is wonderful stuff, and just fine for poultry. If you ever need to treat somewhere that spraying is too awkward, you can apply it to a paper towel or gauze first and dab it on. But yes, gloves are a must!

You might want to consider putting together a chicken first aid kit, I use a small plastic storage bin with a locking lid, and keep vet wrap, Blu Kote, Vaseline, plain triple antibiotic ointment (no pain relief), guaze pads, dedicated manicure set with tweezers, nail clippers, cuticle scissors, jar of cornstarch (to stop bleeding) syringes 1ml and 12ml 18guage needles, small bottle of ivermectin cattle pour-on, guillotine nail clippers, and pre ground up calcium tablets. And yes, GLOVES!!! Several pairs of disposable exam gloves, I keep this with several dedicated old “chicken towels” folded and tied in a garbage bag. But I also end up working with a lot of rescues. A dog crate and a cat carrier with top and front doors are also handy for isolating sick birds. (I really like the top opening, very handy if you need to work by yourself

Ha, got that beat! The GJ with the hole in her head was sprayed with Blue Kote. She shook her head violently, like a Dog shedding water. She sprayed Blue Kote over both me and my Daughter's faces. We both look silly with Blue Freckles! Lesson learned here too...JJ

Oh you beat me to it!! LOL

Yes any time you have to spray a bird's bird's comb or wattles. We hold a folded paper towel up to protect their eyes and then throw it up over their heads to block the spray from them shaking. I can't tell you the number of times my head, face, arm, shirt has gotten stained.

NOTES blue kote eventually washes out of most clothes after a number of washes. It can Not be used on felines.

You may consider safety goggles when using it.

Tractor supply does carry a blue kote bottle with dauber much better for combs and wattles. Still a mess and kind of squeeze the dauber out in the side of the bottle before is or it will run everywhere.

Also as for the spray kind always be sure which direction the nozzle is pointed before spraying. It can be hard to see where it comes out with the blue locking lid.

We are getting married in September and I keep telling my fiance that blue kote is likely going to be my something blue as I'll probably have some on me. Lol.

I have also gone into the doctor before and even asked where I got all the bruises. Lol blue kote bruises.

 

[chickendreams24]

even knowing the perils of Blu Kote... here’s my bathroom sink, she also got me, the mirror and the opposite wall!
View attachment 1861659

That not soap scum or dirt...

Looks like our bathroom when I didn't see the nozzle was pointed in the wrong direction one night. Two words. White trim.

 

[DanielleOrbach]

Ha, got that beat! The GJ with the hole in her head was sprayed with Blue Kote. She shook her head violently, like a Dog shedding water. She sprayed Blue Kote over both me and my Daughter's faces. We both look silly with Blue Freckles! Lesson learned here too...JJ

Oh NICE! Yeah you got me beat!

 

[DanielleOrbach]

Ha, got that beat! The GJ with the hole in her head was sprayed with Blue Kote. She shook her head violently, like a Dog shedding water. She sprayed Blue Kote over both me and my Daughter's faces. We both look silly with Blue Freckles! Lesson learned here too...JJ

Oh NICE! Yeah you got me beat!