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Birminghens

Birminghens

Hatching
6 Years
Mar 4, 2013
6
0
7
Hello, I am a newcomer and live in Birmingham, UK.

I just got two hens, one brown (18 weeks) and one black with white spotted neck and head (about 25 weeks). I am awaiting a third one in a few weeks that will be white, small and fast.

I haven't got any experience at raising chickens but am learning day by day.

I set up a water fountain mixed with apple vinegar as it is said to help the chickens it stressful situation such a moving etc...

I put wood-shavings in the two nesting boxes and will hopefully soon be getting eggs.

I do have one question; do the hens need sunlight? as at the moment, they won't be getting much, maybe 1 hour a day, not even.

Thanks for you help!

Max
 
Yes, hens need sunlight, doesn't their coop have any windows? Maybe you mean they will only have an hour of sunlight or less because you are building a run for them. Hens do need light in order to trigger laying etc. In gloomy, winter weather some have a light in the coop a few hours aday to compensate.
 
Thanks for your fast reply. The coop is in full shade expect in June, July where maybe an hour of sun would shine on it and the run is almost in full shade, now it shines about one hour per day but in summer maybe more and in winter no sun. Should I relocate the run?
 
Also, I realised one of the Chicken is make cougth noises and I could see something resembling vomit, might she become ill due to stress or cold? And if yes, how to treat colds?
 
Hello and welcome to BYC
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Hens would like some sun, but if you are in a place that barely gets any, like where I am...
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Natural light would be good too, but if you can place the run in a part of your property that gets some sun it will be good. Regarding your coughing chicken, I think you should start a thread in the emergencies and disease section. Please give as much detail as possible, i.e. how long has she been doing it, any other symptoms, her age, eating drinking, behaviour... The E&D section is here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

Good luck!
 

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