Nebie has a few question....Please help

[vectra0220]

I have four hens that I raised from chicks(about 6 months old), I was given three more hens yesterday(about a year old). They seem to be getting along alright, but the three new chick were not very well taken care of and I'm a little worried they will give my hens something. So here are my questions:
1. One of the new hens is missing some feathers on her wings and the other hens are "eating" her in that area? is that normal? what should I do?
2. Several of the hens have a few small black spots on there combs, what is that?
3. One of my hens is shaking her head a lot, is this a sign of something bad?
4. Some of the hens scratch there beaks side to side on the ground, what does this mean?
5. If any of my hens are sick or get sick, is it still okay to eat the eggs?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.... I never thought I would stress this much about chickens, but somehow they won me over.

Thanks in advance.

 

[toysmom]

Quote:
I can't answer all of your questions.
The hen that is missing some feathers and the others are picking at it, you need to separate her from the rest of the flock. You need to see if there is an injury. If there is an injury, someone else will have to help you with that.

Chickens scratch their beaks from side to side all the time, so that is not anything to worry about. Mine do it all the time.

Maybe someone else will be able to help you with the answers to the rest of your questions. Good luck with your chickens

 

[Toshi]

Ok i will try to answer them to my best, but i just got chickens this year. ok here we go.

#1. Ok most likely some of your other hens are picking at the hen, soemtimes they do this, pecking is not good, and if they peck until they get blood they will peck more. I read somewhere put soem kind or tar on it or soemthing. Not sure where i read it, or if i heard it from my family memember who has chickens of her own.

Those new chickens you got did you keep them away form your birds for 30 days to make sure they are not sick or anything?

#2. Not sure.

#3. i dont think that means anything bad.

#4. They are just cleaning off their beak that is all, they are picky about keeping their beak clean, soemtimes mine wipe it on my pants if i am sitting with them and holding them.

#5. I woudln't know that one, if they get sick you would have to treat them, that would effect the eggs so i guess no, you woudln't be able to eat them.

 

[simplynewt]

I have been taught that when you get new chickens, to automatically keep them away from your flock until you have checked them over. They may have a desiese that may be passed on to your birds. Once you are sure there is nothing wrong with the new birds, then place them in the general population.

I would surely get the hen with the missing feathers out of there until she has time to heal and for you to see if there is another issue with that bird that may not be noticable by just looking at her. Under her wings maybe?

I would get as much info as you can about the black dots. This may be another issue that you are introducing to your original flock.

I would venture to say that if these new birds are sick and you have made your birds sick by placing the sick birds with them, I would be reluctant to eat anything from a sick bird until I knew what it was and if it would make me sick.

Good Luck and I hope all is well with ALL your flock.