Losing neck feathers

[Silkie2]

Oh ok,
Gave my other silkie a epsom salt bath on her bottom yesterday. I check her this morning, Her fluff has returned! It's still a little wet near her vent though. When should I put them back with the other hens? I read that you should do it at night...?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oh ok,
Gave my other silkie a epsom salt bath on her bottom yesterday. I check her this morning, Her fluff has returned! It's still a little wet near her vent though. When should I put them back with the other hens? I read that you should do it at night...?

Has the prolapse healed? You mention that her vent is wet - does she have discharge or just a fluffy bum where poop collects?

What type of chickens does the rest of the flock consist of - Silkies, bantams or large fowl?

Since these Silkie girls have been separated for quite a while, they will most likely be viewed as strangers. You will need to probably need to integrate/introduce them over the course of several days to a couple of weeks. One of the best ways would be penning them next to the flock so they can all see one another, but the risk of injury/attack would be minimal.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/06/integrating-new-flock-members-playpen.html

 

[Silkie2]

The rest of the flock is RIR, NHreds, Buff Orpington, golden laced Wyandottes, and etc. all around that size. Some of her hairs of her "feathers" have just some white on them probably from some poop I didn't completely get off. But I got off the big clumps thankfully.

(The pic looks a little worse then it actually is because of her tail feathers lol)

Her vent also seems to be "breathing"...? Which i don't know is normal, in never noticed it with the other chickens. But overall she seems to be doing fine, but I'm concerned about putting her back outside in the light where she might lay an egg and get it stuck again. I can keep her and her sister in the turkey pen for a little but (no turkeys in there yet) where they can see the other chickens, and the other chickens can see them (the turkey pen is built off of the chicken pen)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The rest of the flock is RIR, NHreds, Buff Orpington, golden laced Wyandottes, and etc. all around that size. Some of her hairs of her "feathers" have just some white on them probably from some poop I didn't completely get off. But I got off the big clumps thankfully.

(The pic looks a little worse then it actually is because of her tail feathers lol)


Her vent also seems to be "breathing"...? Which i don't know is normal, in never noticed it with the other chickens. But overall she seems to be doing fine, but I'm concerned about putting her back outside in the light where she might lay an egg and get it stuck again. I can keep her and her sister in the turkey pen for a little but (no turkeys in there yet) where they can see the other chickens, and the other chickens can see them (the turkey pen is built off of the chicken pen)

You may want to try trimming her bum feathers to see if that helps with the poopy butt. Watch to see if she has a discharge coming from the vent (like Vent Gleet) or if she is just not expelling the poop far enough and it's getting into the feathers.

I understand your concerns that she may prolapse again if she lays another egg. Keeping her in low light/dark is usually a good idea for a while, but IMHO chickens do need to have some sunlight each day. You can try to slowly transition her from the dark over the course of several weeks. There is not way to know if she will prolapse again. You may want to consider Suprelorin Implants, this can help stop the laying, I don't know how much $$$ it costs, there are some threads here on BYC about the subject.

If you determine the Silkies are ready to go back outside and begin integration, I do recommend that you pen them separately for a while. Large fowl like the others that you have, seem to have a tendency to pick on Silkies (from what I have read). Even when they are fully back with the flock you most likely will have to keep close watch. The Silkie girls may fare better to have permanent housing by themselves.

 

[Silkie2]

Thanks I'll try trimming her butt.
So do you think i should put them in the turkey pen today?
The chickens aren't too bad with the silkies, it's just the mean RIRs :/

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks I'll try trimming her butt.
So do you think i should put them in the turkey pen today?
The chickens aren't too bad with the silkies, it's just the mean RIRs

You will have to determine if you think they are healthy enough to start the integration process. Since you have some mean RIRs, then I would definately give them plenty of time with the see don't touch method, then start letting them interact supervised for a while so you can observe them for any aggression.

 

[Silkie2]

Ok.
How can I tell the difference between aggression and just sorting out the pecking order? Twix has always been very skittish, yet jade is very bold and brave. So one peck and Twix will go running. I let them in the turkey run today and put them in the stall at night.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Ok.
How can I tell the difference between aggression and just sorting out the pecking order? Twix has always been very skittish, yet jade is very bold and brave. So one peck and Twix will go running. I let them in the turkey run today and put them in the stall at night.

You would have to observe them. There may be some sorting out of the pecking order. A small peck here and there or being chased a bit from treats/food is pecking order which should eventually calm down. Aggression is continuous bullying, pinning down, fighting, pecking/injuring another bird. Silkies, IMHO are more "fragile" than large fowl and can't withstand being pecked much especially in the head.