Sarag4914
Chirping
- Jul 28, 2020
- 8
- 69
- 54
Hi everyone
I thought it was about time I joined as I've been using the threads for information over the last few months.
I became a first time chicken mama 2 weeks ago when I finally brought home my 3 silkies.
They are uk LF silkies, I have a bearded red plye at 13 weeks old, a bearded partridge at 13 weeks old and a non-bearded cuckoo at 11 weeks old.
They are more of a pet than anything else, I have wanted to keep chickens for many year and I got a crazy crash course when they arrived. (I'm still recovering) it doesn't matter how much research you do and how prepared you think you are when its new to you and something goes wrong panic sets in.
It was a 3 hour drive back to Scotland with my small hopefully all girl flock. I'd taken a dog crate and forgot the newspaper in all my excitement so the gentleman I bought them from gave me some hay he had for the rabbits so they wouldn't slide around.
Everyone arrived a bit shaken up but seemed ok, eating, drinking and scratching around. I noticed them sneezing almost straight away just every now and again, I checked them over but couldn't see any other symptoms. I contacted the gentleman and he said to use ACV in their water for 3 days ( week 2 still sneezing every now and again, any advice?)
I also noticed them scratching alot but because they had just started moulting I didn't pay much attention but after 2 or 3 days I was beginning to think it was more than that so I checked them all over and the cuckoo (Mable) had little bugs on her vent. I immediately messaged the gentleman who said it could be from the hay and to use mite powder round the vent and under their wings and mite spray the coop and change all the bedding and add some garlic powder to their feed, which I did. It worked and that cleared up that.
So crazy first week!
I waited until they settled in a bit more after their forced bath and new surroundings and decided to worm them, I'm on days 5 of flubenvet in their growers pellets. They weren't fans to start with but I haven't gave them anything else so they have gave in and are eating it. I'll repeat in 3 weeks time.
I'm assuming because of their molt it's making them a bit more subdued than I'd expected chickens to be. I'm so anxious about them after the bugs, sneezing and their molt. I just want them to be happy, healthy and relaxed so I can chill and enjoy them a bit more.
Once their wormer is finished should I give them anything to help them with their molt? How worried should I be about sneezing every now and again without any other symptoms and is there anything I can give them to help it?
Thank you for reading my epic tale of being a first time chicken mama of 2 whole weeks.
P.s last night was the first night they put themselves into the coop at bed time, so proud.
Sara
I thought it was about time I joined as I've been using the threads for information over the last few months.
I became a first time chicken mama 2 weeks ago when I finally brought home my 3 silkies.
They are uk LF silkies, I have a bearded red plye at 13 weeks old, a bearded partridge at 13 weeks old and a non-bearded cuckoo at 11 weeks old.
They are more of a pet than anything else, I have wanted to keep chickens for many year and I got a crazy crash course when they arrived. (I'm still recovering) it doesn't matter how much research you do and how prepared you think you are when its new to you and something goes wrong panic sets in.
It was a 3 hour drive back to Scotland with my small hopefully all girl flock. I'd taken a dog crate and forgot the newspaper in all my excitement so the gentleman I bought them from gave me some hay he had for the rabbits so they wouldn't slide around.
Everyone arrived a bit shaken up but seemed ok, eating, drinking and scratching around. I noticed them sneezing almost straight away just every now and again, I checked them over but couldn't see any other symptoms. I contacted the gentleman and he said to use ACV in their water for 3 days ( week 2 still sneezing every now and again, any advice?)
I also noticed them scratching alot but because they had just started moulting I didn't pay much attention but after 2 or 3 days I was beginning to think it was more than that so I checked them all over and the cuckoo (Mable) had little bugs on her vent. I immediately messaged the gentleman who said it could be from the hay and to use mite powder round the vent and under their wings and mite spray the coop and change all the bedding and add some garlic powder to their feed, which I did. It worked and that cleared up that.
So crazy first week!
I waited until they settled in a bit more after their forced bath and new surroundings and decided to worm them, I'm on days 5 of flubenvet in their growers pellets. They weren't fans to start with but I haven't gave them anything else so they have gave in and are eating it. I'll repeat in 3 weeks time.
I'm assuming because of their molt it's making them a bit more subdued than I'd expected chickens to be. I'm so anxious about them after the bugs, sneezing and their molt. I just want them to be happy, healthy and relaxed so I can chill and enjoy them a bit more.
Once their wormer is finished should I give them anything to help them with their molt? How worried should I be about sneezing every now and again without any other symptoms and is there anything I can give them to help it?
Thank you for reading my epic tale of being a first time chicken mama of 2 whole weeks.
P.s last night was the first night they put themselves into the coop at bed time, so proud.
Sara
Glad you joined.
I've never raised chickens before so I'm glad I have this site for information.
Enjoy your new flock and welcome to ours!
