New chickens

[headofthecoop]

I just rescued a small flock of chickens from an owner who no longer wanted to care for them. they are looking pretty sad I have them in a seprate coop from my flock. The rooster that they had was really really hard on them. I have seperated him so the girls would have a chance to heal up. My flock has been handle alot and are really used to me but these girls are really wild. I dont even think they know how to eat from a feeder or a waterer. I am looking for ideas to get them to heal up a litle faster. I have herad that feeding them a little bit of wet cat food for increesed protien would help. I am having a hard time checking them over well because they are so wild. any advice will be great thank you.

 

[trbtm134]

My "girls" have started growing new feathers since I have been giving them black oil sunflower seeds every day. Maybe that would help yours, too. I have heard that cat food is definitely NOT good for chickens!! Roos can be really rough on the girls sometimes. Good luck with your rescued flock. Doesn't sound like the previous owner really cared for them at all.

 

[poorartists]

I got three chickens from a similarly wild flock and two of the hens were very beat up from roosters and lice. I made sure to get a hold of them in the coop when they were sleepy or just waking up to treat them with lice powder a few times. I will try seeds to help speed up the feather growth. All three hens are supposedly "layers" but they have been hear a week and haven't given me any eggs. any pointers?

 

[trbtm134]

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Maybe they just need a little time to recuperate from everything. Do you have any idea how old they are?

 

[PunkinPeep]

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It can take hens a month or more to start laying after being relocated. Chickens really don't like change.

 

[PunkinPeep]

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Cat food is great for increasing protein, but it may contain salt, so you want to not rely on it too much. Since i have plenty of eggs, i would personally just make them scrambled or boiled eggs. It's full of protein, and eggs are like mother's milk for chickens. Any chicken, will tame some once they figure out that you are the source of good food.

So i would just be patient, and possibly do exams at night when they're roosting, like someone else suggested. Plain yogurt is also a great supplement, along with organic ACV in the water, to improve their gut flora and immunity.

 

[headofthecoop]

they are eating now I changed up the feed by mixing in some scrambles eggs and some chopped up meat scraps from my kitchen and mixed in layer feed. They are really wild though I am having a hard time getting into the coop to give them clean water and feed them. I cant even open the door with out them going nuts. I am tryin to feed them daily so they know that I am where the food comes from.
I was told that they were a year old I cannot tell what breed they are at all, since they are in such rough shape I think two of them are golden commits they are in the best shape.

 

[Hippie Chicks Mom]

Bless your heart for taking in these poor babies. I wish there was more people like you!!!