New member and kinda overwhelmwd

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DobieLover said:
Hello, Gayla, and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.
Sorry you're having a tough time.
I hate to say it but the majority of your problems poit right to that pre-fab coop. It's too small.
You need 4 sq ft per bird in the coop and 15 sq ft per bird in the run if you want to avoid sanitation and behavioral issues.
The best way to treat mites is to clean all the bedding out of the coop and burn the bedding. Then spray the entire coop with permethrin paying particular attention to crevices and let it dry.
Each bird then needs to be treated with permethrin by spraying under each wing and around the vent area and the base of the tail right down to the skin.
Add fresh bedding when the coop is dry.
Repeat above again in 7 days to kill the mites from the eggs that hatch.
You can preventively treat the coop every month or two with permethrin.
The birds need a dust bathing area to take care of themselves.
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Thank you for the welcome and for the help! Very straightforward and doable!
When we bought the coop, it said for “6-10 chickens”. After getting it together, I said no way! Which is why we bought the run. The run is a large area and I think(?) gives them enough room.
 
mrsgwag said:
Thank you for the welcome and for the help! Very straightforward and doable!
When we bought the coop, it said for “6-10 chickens”. After getting it together, I said no way! Which is why we bought the run. The run is a large area and I think(?) gives them enough room.
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If it's at least 60 sq ft, it will help. There needs to be "stuff" in the run. Chickens love to perch on things, dig and scratch, dust and sun bathe. They need personal space. If a bird is unable to get out of a higher ups space, trouble ensues.
 
Well if I didn't jump in feet first I wouldn't do anything. I only learn the hard way. I believe chickens are enjoyable and worth the effort.
Yes need more space. For my birds they roost at night in a small space but have a big run.
20200306_222047.jpg

There are so many cute little chicken coops it is hard to pass up especially when they tell you a dozen birds will fit.
Make sure there is air flow in the coop
Cleaning the coop often helps but also you can cover poop with straw or wood chips. Beyond poop, chickens do have a natural scent. Most of us are now blind to it or find it enjoyable.
It takes some work but you can also let them free range in the yard. Mine have learned the border of the yard and only once in a while try to venture beyond.
I hate the pecking order but it is a natural behavior in a healthy flock. My penny is the biggest sweetheart but sadly on bottom.
 
Peppercorngal said:
Welcome Here Gayla! Why do you think they have mites? Are they preening quite a bit? What? You need to put wood shavings or straw at the bottom of the coop. Chickens poop all the time and you will need to remove the straw (use it in the garden, or built a compost pile) and put in clean every once in awhile. As for your Bully Red, I think this setup is too small. I know, I know, it says in all the stuff you have read that this is plenty of room. Chickens love space. There is always a "pecking order" and someone is on top and someone is on the bottom. This is my opinion, but I think you need a large free range area (it can be fenced, mine is) so the chickens have space to get out of each others way. They love to peck and scratch and explore and this coop and a dog run is just not enough to keep Red busy enough to leave the others alone. These pre-made coops are always too small, except for nighttime safety. Lastly you should have food available in the run all the time. Chickens won't pig out and make themselves sick. They need food all day, every day. I don't put it in the coop, just the run and they have access 24/7. Plenty of water is needed too and should be available all the time. Don't be stressed, drink a little wine and know that everything will be fine! :hugs

Here's my flock free ranging in their fenced in area:

View attachment 2104859
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I have straw in the coop, but not on the ground, so will have to address that issue.
Im thinking mites because yes, they are preening a lot and avoiding the nesting area (or mostly laying in the doorway if they do go in).
Your chickens look very content and happy! I’ve avoided free range because 1) feral cats around, 2) hawks, and 3) they’re very skittish and I don’t know if I’d be able to corral them back inside!
Thank you for letting me know I’m doing the feeding and watering correctly!
Now, for that glass of wine!🙂
 
ejtrout31 said:
Hello and welcome to BYC a place where many poultry lovers come together and make one big family.

If you ever have a question just ask anyone on here will be happy to help you and if you know the answer to someones question go ahead and answer. Thats the great thing about byc you can ask and answer.

One more thing before you ask a question if you want to see if its already answered before search it here https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/

Have a wonderful day!
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Thank you. Did some searching already. I could definitely spend some time here!!
 
Also welcome and beautiful birds.
What climate are you in? Birds could be molting if its getting warmer or colder.
They like dust bath and can use sand I've heard but do your own research on that. They look creepy like they are dying in dust bath.
20200307_133627.jpg

Ameuricana are also normally skittish so lowers them on pecking order.
 
mrsgwag said:
We bought and assembled the coop and the run.
Thank you!
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WhyDoILikeChickens said:
Well if I didn't jump in feet first I wouldn't do anything. I only learn the hard way. I believe chickens are enjoyable and worth the effort.
Yes need more space. For my birds they roost at night in a small space but have a big run.
View attachment 2105066
There are so many cute little chicken coops it is hard to pass up especially when they tell you a dozen birds will fit.
Make sure there is air flow in the coop
Cleaning the coop often helps but also you can cover poop with straw or wood chips. Beyond poop, chickens do have a natural scent. Most of us are now blind to it or find it enjoyable.
It takes some work but you can also let them free range in the yard. Mine have learned the border of the yard and only once in a while try to venture beyond.
I hate the pecking order but it is a natural behavior in a healthy flock. My penny is the biggest sweetheart but sadly on bottom.
Click to expand...
Beautiful chickens!
I hate the pecking order. But Red is not the top. She’s #2, so her obsession with the other bird (Lucy), just feels wrong.I’m always going to root for the underdog (or underchicken!), so it’s been very hard to not intervene. I’ve done a good job with letting them figure it out, except in this case. It seems different than how #1 (Peggy Sue) achieved her ranking.
 

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