Need Help-Caring for Neighbors Hens

[Shayna]

First I would like to say you're the best chicken sitter I've ever met.

I would recommeend blu kote, since that hides the redness and helps healing. I probably wouldn't give them antibiotics unless I really suspected there was an infection, and even then I would separate the infected ones and treat separately. I just don't think antibiotics are as effective when needed if given as a preventative at any small injury. The cabbage, flock block, and anything else to give them to peck at is the way to go for distracting them.

You're doing great!

 

[allieloveschickens]

Wow I wish you could chicken sit for me! I bet you will see an improvement just with giving them the right feed, lack of protein would definitely cause them to pluck each other. The cabbage is also good, you could also throw scratch and black oil sunflower seeds out for them to snack on during the day to distract them. You are doing great!

 

[BamaSilkies]

Quote:
X2 what he said.

 

[egglicious]

You might wanna give them an extra protein boost for a few days as well, since they were probably very deficient. You can give them a can of unsalted tuna fish packed in water, some plain yogurt mixed with their feed and/or some cottage cheese. Mashed up boiled egg is great for them as well.

Kudos for you for being such an awesome chicken sitter. I would do the same if I were you!

 

[mtdream33]

Well thank you for thinking I'm a good chicken sitter. I'm sure trying. The hens are honestly great, I truly hope their feathers can grow back and they stop the pecking. My kids love them too, they go with me after school and on the weekends to check on them. They absolutely love holding them.

I'm going to try to get some of the blu-kote. Certainly our feed store or Ag store should have it, right? Is is just for chickens, or can it be used on other animals. I do remember my mom, YEARS ago when I was little putting some blue stuff on our rabbits, I guess she could have used it on our chickens as well but I don't remember the chickens ever needing it. She got it from our neighbors and they used it for their horses.

I'm going to check my tuna and see if it has salt. I can't imagine it is salt free, but I'll see. I also have some plain yogurt just this side of expiring so I'll use that as well.

So when I checked later this afternoon they still hadn't pecked at the cabbage! What's up with that?

I think I will have to try to find some sort of windblock eventually. One side is completely sheltered by the horse barn, but the coop isn't sheltered from the north, south, and east.

Thank you, thank you again! Such honestly great people on here! I'm sorry to have waited so long to post, although not having chickens myself yet I felt kind of foolish

 

[BamaSilkies]

The Blukote will probably where the large animal medication is located.(horse and cattle)

 

[dawg53]

I dont recommend giving them the duramycin, they dont need it. Additionally it has a 21 day withdrawal.

 

[egglicious]

Maybe try and cut the cabbage in half and hang them both up with the cut side out. Tatter it up a bit. That should help!

 

[mtdream33]

Yikes, I'm going to pull the Duramycin then. When I went to see them this afternoon they had five eggs for me again, so they can't feel that bad I suppose.

Hubby is responsible for the morning feed tomorrow as I have to work, but I will see them in the mid afternoon. I'll keep posting updates as I get them. Looking forward to giving you good news, fingers crossed.

 

[1muttsfan]

Get the spray-on blu kote, not the dabber. I would also recommend spraying them after dark using a flashlight or head lamp, and try to minimize flapping. Also wear old clothes!

Cat food is high in protein, you can throw a few handfulls of dry food out for them to peck around in outside.