im ready to give up on my chickens

[moosenbudda]

I bought 25 banties from a guy down the road from me . When I bought them most of them were missing all the feathers from there butts. He wasnt feeding them proper feed with enough protein and I think they were eatting there own feathers. Ive had these chickens from over two months all the feathers are starting the grow back I have them on an 18% protein feed I give them a good amount of leafy greens oyster shell and they get the gravel things. they arent free range due to all the loose wild animals ( that killed off my last flock that did free range) Im just really getting tired of feeding and feeding and getting nothing from them ! Im so tired of having to buy eggs ! I loved these guys because there millie fluer and bantom marans but I dont want chickens that dont " give back"! Any suggestions please please please please ! thanks !

 

[Kojack]

I was just complaining of the same issue. Who knows when they will lay... But I have been talking to them about fried chicken chicken soup and baked chicken and .... well you get the Idea. Still I havent the first egg. Time to step up pressure.

 

[chickenwhisperer123]

Well if you dont think its worth it to keep them, then dont.

Ive had some problems like you where I wanted to give up, but times change...


How long have you had them?

 

[moosenbudda]

Quote:
Almost 3 months and there about 9 months old

 

[SallyF]

How old were the chickens when you got them? You bought a flock of 25 stressed, malnourished chickens, have had them for two months, and it sounds like you're doing everything right to bring them back to health. Are they even old enough to lay yet? If they are old enough, are they healthy enough at this point? Lots to think about here before you decide to give up on them. Good luck.

 

[miss_jayne]

Quote:
therein is the answer! 9 month old chickens tend to go through a mini-molt and stop laying!!!!! they may be on 'hold' right now because of it! give it a bit more time.

also, give a good once over for bugs which deplete them of nutrients in the bloodstream therefor no eggs either. check for lice during daylight, mites at night.

PATIENCE, the hardest thing to learn with anything, and especially when you are spending time and money to get something from them is hard.

 

[moosenbudda]

They have been dusted from mites just in case and I have given them a carton of meal worms a week ! Ive also tried the poly vitamins, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, alot of spinich, lettace diffrent fruits and veggies not so much that it messes with there diets or anything ! they have food all the time and fresh water. there also plenty of room in the coop for all of them.

 

[wohneli]

Be patient. I had 3 batches of chickens get killed off by various things before I got my first egg.
Waiting will make those first eggs taste that much better.
*Have you wormed them?

 

[moosenbudda]

Quote:
yes with vermi-x

 

[miss_jayne]

you are on the right track. my bet is on the 9 month age then! you are on the fringe. it wont be long.

having poor diets in their early life is definitely going to put maturity behind.