Might be adopting two hens (a rehome request on FB)

[aart]

It's bigger than Red's virtually all the time. I had to actually look up and learn what they were because I was worried about them.

Could be a pendulous crop...which can be a health issue but not always.

 

[Syntria]

@aart Hmmm. Keeping an eye on it. Shes not been as vibrant the last few days either. Gonna check this morning and try taking food out if the coop tonight to see how it looks in the morning. Thoughts?

This is what I looked up and read.
https://www.purposefullysimple.com/how-to-treat-impacted-crop-sour-crop-and-pendulous-crop/

 

[aart]

@aart Hmmm. Keeping an eye on it. Shes not been as vibrant the last few days either. Gonna check this morning and try taking food out if the coop tonight to see how it looks in the morning. Thoughts?

That's good place to start.
I'd fully assess whether it's a problem before trying any 'treatment',
some are rather drastic.
Here's a good article here about crop function and issues:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...d-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments.67194/

 

[ShrekDawg]

@aart so that is their crop and not the breast? How do you tell the difference?

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks for the warnings on the age. I've been reading up on age related issues, the worry of the resources a non-producing hen would take up and what she's offer to the flock's happiness (or lack of) or worms. Hmm.

I just expanded it with a 2x2 nesting box but yeah, it's only 3x3 on the inside and I have two small hens right now. I'm not sure their exact breeds either tbh. I picked them up off craigslist a few weeks ago and the said they were between 6-8 months. Their wings were cut back really far. I feel like further than would be necessary.

Nesting boxes don't count towards the total floor space because they're not really in them at all and they're usually outside the coop. Also need to take into account the space the feeders and waterers take up.

If you can even expand it to 4x4 I think that would be good for them and give them more space. You might even be able to add 2 more. But this one is big enough for 2 so should be fine but if/when you build a bigger one. Or you could even go with 4x8 so you could add lots more

That would hold no more than 8 though (4 sq. ft. per bird) so not necessarily "lots" but lots compared to what you have now hah

Anyways, I would also not go with a slanted roof or if you do make one, make the walls a little bit taller, so they can actually get to/use that space, otherwise it'll reduce floor space.

But it does look great, especially considering you built it yourself!

I want to build stuff but I'm a bit nervous.

 

[aart]

@aart so that is their crop and not the breast? How do you tell the difference?

Not positive, but looks to be, why it needs to be examined.
How to tell?.....learn chicken anatomy by reading and searching for diagrams, then start examining your birds to become familiar.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Not positive, but looks to be, why it needs to be examined.
How to tell?.....learn chicken anatomy by reading and searching for diagrams, then start examining your birds to become familiar.

Thanks! Good idea