new to keeping chickens - one angry rooster

[aoxa]

Your roo is so handsome! I just adore his floppy comb!

She looks just like my Penny

 

[Blue]

Quote:
A floppy comb isn't always a sign of poor nutrition. Some breeds, notably leghorns, have very large floppy combs. Also, sometimes crossing chickens with two different types of combs (straight, pea, v, rose, or whatever) can result in all kinds of wacky looking combs. It sounds like you've been feeding him well, so I wouldn't worry too much about the comb if he's not acting sick. It wouldn't hurt to throw some table scraps in with his scratch, or to add some game feed, black oil sunflower seeds, or even layer pellets, something with higher nutritional value than the scratch. He's probably finding some of his own food as well since you let him free range.

 

[femmemechanics]

thanks everyone for your great advice! two of her wounds are almost completely healed up and her deepest one is getting there. i've placed her in the run while he's outside so that they can get used to each other.. and the second time i tried, he came over and started what sounded like singing to her! it was adorable!! and she finally started laying again, for the past 3 days she's been laying an egg a day. is it normal for her to lay that much? and my real question is this.. i brought her outside today, left her unattended for about 30 minutes.. came back outside and she had taken a dirtbath.. completely covered.. felt way heavier than she normally does cause she really packed it in. the dirt is in her deep wound.. how do i clean it out? can i put her under running water? should i just stream peroxide over it? i'm scared of washing it too well.. because at the very center of her deepest cut there is a really dark dot.. i don't know if it's the lung or what, but i don't want to put any liquid near her organs. i know i need to clean that wound out.. god knows what microscopic insects could be in the dirt and i don't want her gash to stop the healing process by getting infected.

 

[gryeyes]

Oh, she probably REALLY enjoyed that dust bath! Chickens dust bathe for pleasure and to reduce mite and lice "occupancy." They do it even if they have no little parasites - it's pleasurable for them.

I would let her fluff herself out first, then wash just the wounds. I don't know if hydrogen peroxide is suitable for chickens, so wait for another more knowledgeable member to advise on that.... Don't wash her entire body, though - that's not necessary.

 

[Blue]

Quote:
I'm not an expert, but if it were me, I'd just rinse it out with water and spray it with Blu-kote. Since the wound is still healing, I agree with you that you shouldn't scrub it and risk opening the wound. For the egglaying, sometimes the hens do lay en egg a day for several days. They usually take one or two days off a week, though, or at least that's been my experience. Glad your hen is doing better!