Need Help-Caring for Neighbors Hens

[NovaAman]

true... But I'd spend 40 bucks to do it... It can come down in spring, be used on her/his own coop next year...

 

[mtdream33]

Hi again, Potluck. I agree. They left knowing it's going to get colder and snowier and were not concerned. That being said, I definitely want to make sure I do all I can to keep them healthy..or be able to get their behinds covered with feathers again at the very least. We have farms here in my area that never shut their chickens in, I do know that-but that's about all I know!

In my opinion they are very conscientious animal owners. They have horses and dogs and treat them very well, so I don't want to give the impression they have been neglectful because they certainly haven't. The person who built the coop and run for them does a good deal of this type of work.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
I have never heard of a red light to help with pecking and blood. I do know that the red light is better for the baby chicks so they don't peck each other, but I think that's cuz the constant white light makes them more... Busy... I know what I wanted say... Just not getting it out... Sorry...

x2
A white light will keep them up all night, IMO it makes them irritable and susceptable for picking/pecking. But it's also used for continuos egg production like in commercial operations. Birds with a white light on at night "burn out" sooner as far as egg laying goes from the constant "daylight." Commercial layers are only good for about 2 years of laying and they are washed up after that and taken away to be processed. A third of my flock are almost 7 years old and are still laying, they get to sleep naturally in the dark at night. It's going down to 20 tonight and I live on the Ga/Fl border. A red light is supposed to be easier on them just like with chicks (heat purposes as well,) if there's enough room in the coop. If there isnt enough room, picking will still be an issue. Birds will pick at blood no matter what, it's their instinct that drives them to eliminate the injured or sick bird from the flock to prevent predators from stalking the rest of the chickens.

 

[NovaAman]

well, I think then you are on the right track. I would definitely get what dawg suggested. He knows what he's talking about.

 

[mtdream33]

Yes, definitely need to figure out if they have enough room then. I don't know what's to be done if they don't, except what NovaAman was referring to when mentioned that enclosing the run would possibly make up for too small of a coop space.

Thanks so much already for the advice and conversation. I knew I could count on this group to steer me in the right direction. Keep the comments coming, I want to hear from anyone with ideas

 

[mtdream33]

So I wanted to give everyone an update on what steps I've taken so far to see if I can remedy my neighbor's chickens of their pecking problem. It's pretty much day one since I didn't have time to get everything the day before. I've received some advice, a lot of which I have taken, so only time will tell if I can get them healing and stop the behavior.

Here is what I learned when I went back over there the day after I posted for advice:

The coop is 4'4" X 3'7", so no, not really big enough apparently. But, since they do have 24 hour access to their big run, I'm thinking this will be okay. What do you guys think. Again, I can't do anything about this mind you..just want your opinion.

Next, protein, or lack there of, is possibly a contributing factor to their pecking. I looked at the feed and it was scratch, not a complete feed. So, I will definitely need to tell her she was not feeding the right thing. She did have two other 50 lb bags of Layer feed that she purchased, but she wasn't aware that they couldn't be used interchangeably. I also went to the feed store and purchased another bag of complete feed myself as I hadn't looked yet to see what the other bags were that she had in storage. My neighbor is close, but we're not in town, and on separate acreage so I can't just "pop" next door to check whenever I want!

Okay, so now on to what I have done so far. When I went to the feed store I talked to one of the gals that worked there. She is also a chicken owner and this is what she told me to do. She echoed a lot of what Dawg and some others told me: hang a cabbage in the run for them to peck at, spray their bottoms with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water to discourage pecking and kill bacteria, put Preparation H salve on any open sores, use a powdered antibiotic in their water for a few days- 1 tsp, mixed with 1 tsp sugar in one gallon of water. She said I wouldn't have to withhold eggs, but would you guys? It's a tetracycline hydrochloride powder called Duramycin-10 by Durvet.

So I did all of the above. The cabbage has been hanging since yesterday afternoon and I applied the prep H to two hens that had small sores yesterday as well. When I went this morning, the cabbage hadn't been touched! I pulled some of the leaves out to kind of hang limp on the cabbage hoping they will figure out what to do. When I pull it off and throw it in the run they love it, so I think it's just a matter of figuring out what to do with their new "toy". Hope it gets them going. I did only collect two eggs yesterday versus five the two prior days. Hope that's not because they are getting more stressed. Maybe it's just a slow down in their cycles. We'll see.

Would love to hear what you all think of this. In a few more days I'll post how it's progressing-hopefully things will progress, not go more downhill.

Thanks again for so much help you have given. It's truly invaluable.

edited to add, I thought they would be really bothered by the vinegar spray, but they weren't in the least. They are more bothered by me trying to catch them, but when I do, they love being held, stroked and spoken to softly. When I let them go, they don't want to leave me, lol. It's nice to be needed

 

[egglicious]

If all they were getting was scratch then that is probably what was causing the problem. I think you will see a big improvement as they get the nutrition they need.

 

[1muttsfan]

I don't winterize my run. It is partially covered for when it rains to keep it from being muddy right at the ramp.

Even if they have access to an outdoor area, they are unlikely to use it if it is windy, cold or snowing, so if the indoor space is really inadequate then providing a windblock may help get them out more. I always give my birds their handful of scratch outside, so that if they want it they have to come out.

You could also try Blu Kote on the behinds, but be careful it really stains if you get it on your clothes.

 

[boogiedog]

I find BluKote is much easier to apply (spray) vs Rooster Booster (hand apply) and stays on longer. I had the same problem and ultimately went for pinless peepers. PRoblem solved.

 

[mtdream33]

uh-oh, I'm in trouble..I don't know what pinless peepers are. I'm assuming peepers are chickens, but pins? pin feathers? LOL, tell me!