new white sultan hen rescued-- questions.

[meghan713]

So we bought a white sultan hen. She is tagged, and I don't think she has ever been ab;e to be outside. I think she was a warehouse chicken. Cause she doesn't really move or interact with the others much, all she does is sit in the same place all day, and she eats with the rest of the flock. We have one banty roo who stands guard over her all day cause he has a big crush on her, But we have to actually pick her up in the mornings and move her in and out of the coop. Should we rehome her or will she eventually learn how to act like a real chicken? And, her toenails are like 2 inches long, do I clip them? I feel so bad for her. The comparison between her and my active, free-range-raised chickens is pitiful. She doesn't have diseases by the way, she just doesn't understand how to be a chicken. At all. Advice?

 

[teach1rusl]

Yuck...cut the toenails! I would think just that aspect would make it difficult to walk around. She may be like puppy mills dogs...or some greyhounds...don't know how to climb stairs because of being caged forever. I'd try luring her around a bit with treats. Carry her to sit outside and sit with her, talking gently. How long have you had her???? How are the others reacting to her???

 

[calicokat]

She might respond well to your love and care, but it may take some time.

I have one that I purchased when she was about 18 months old. I thought was abused or something when she was little because of how skittish she was - nearly like a wild cat. If I were able to sneak up on her, and touch her she would scream at the top of her lungs like she was being killed -- and this is just with a finger touching her! When I'd free range the flock, she wouldn't come out and at night she didn't want to roost with the others but instead would be on the floor in a corner with her head stuffed as deep in the corner as it would go! After some time I was able to pick her up when roosting and move her to the perch, but she'd still keep her head down and "hide" from the world.

It's been about 6 months and she's way better, not a lap chicken by any means, but she's at least part of the flock and doing well

 

[meghan713]

had her 2 days. the hens ignore her, the roosters are certainly interested but we try to keep them off her, poor thing. Her name is Rani, by the way.

 

[LyonFuzz]

Give her some time....she's probably pinching herself to make sure it's not a dream. I would definately cut her toenails because as long as they are, it could make it very difficult to walk. Also, she could be deconditioned from being caged for so long. Poor girl. You're an angel for giving her the chance she deserves.

 

[fancbrd4me02]

I would cut her toenails for sure. Long toenails can make walking impossible. Make sure you have blood stop powder or flour in case they bleed. I use a guillutine dog toenail clipper for my chickens. Also, does she have a really poofy crest? If she is having trouble seeing, she may also be hesitant to move around. Some people trim thier cresteds or put the feathers up in a top-knot (ponytail). Maybe they can advise you on how to improve her vision.

 

[purr]

I had 2 sultan hens I got as day olds from McMurray and they both acted this way.When they finally did manage to dig up the courage to go out of the coop. A hawk got them.They are timid because they don't see as well with the tophat and they are real easy for the hawks to pick off because they are very visable. I wish now that I had kept them in the coop.They were very freindly and would sit on my shoulder. I would not get them again unless I had a heated coop for them and covered run. I wouldn't have to have a heated coop If I got a lot of them. But one or two would get cold in the winter.Would never order them again from a hatchery though both had an extra toe on top of their foot that would snag everything and bleed often.