The not laying eggs doesn't concern me at this point... If it were binding the poo would not be passing normally. It would end up being mostly liquid that passes with a diminished appetite because nothing is passing.
The not laying eggs doesn't concern me at this point... If it were binding the poo would not be passing normally. It would end up being mostly liquid that passes with a diminished appetite because nothing is passing.
I would be more worried about something like Marek's.
Anyways here is a symptom checker tool, that while not perfect/exact can at least help you narrow down the possibilities...
http://www.poultrydvm.com/symptoms
Bald spots don't just happen. And for it to be growing back in already would mean the feather was completely pulled out or maybe part of a mini molt. There may be more pecking order stuff going on than meets the eye. It get's especially bad at roost time. But on top of that, the girls who aren't laying yet (or as hormonal) are often the ones who get the brunt of the pecking.
Whatever she does have going on, she will do her very best to hide it because chickens are prey animals and as such can not appear to be weaker or an easy target. Sometimes when the flock senses something off, they will even eliminate the threat of illness or disease entering the flock by eliminating the ailing bird. So my point is it's probably worse than it appears.
Your blue Heeler is cute.
I have a red boy.
And I always set aside their shells and let them dry to avoid mold then crush a little and feed back in a separate dish. They really like it, saves you a little and it and in NO way does it cause egg eaters.
Thank you very much!Your blue Heeler is cute.
So your feed is mostly corn already and about 16% protein? Scratch is often 7-8% and doesn't have any added vitamins/minerals/other nutrients added making it on par with a bag of chips or candy bar, as well I think that's about where corn lies too. Is your spinach fresh or cooked? Your scratch daily and other treats should be not more than 10% of total daily intake. The ladies you mention are both dual purpose breeds and will do better with a little more protein (supporting link to follow). Studies have also shown better hatch rates and chick vitality when the parent stock were fed a "higher" protein diet (that means a few % not extreme anything beyond 28 would be considered detrimental to chickens), which to me says better nutrition in the eggs my family is eating. 16% is the minimum for light bodied layers like leg horn. And feathers are made of 90% protein and the amino acids it contains. This is one reason why many who show their birds feed higher protein, they claim fuller/shinier feathers. If protein is diminished beyond that 16% it could cause all kinds of issues like delayed or decreases production, feather eating and even cannibalism to name a few. I would skip the extra corn altogether, though I do like to let them peck at the cobs after we've enjoyed them. The link has one misprint that says 5-17% and should say 15-17...
http://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/186894.pdf
With anything posted on here, you gotta do what YOU think is right and what makes sense for YOU. This is my opinion based on my research, experiences, and perspective. I feed 20% flock raiser with oyster shell on the side and access to good pasture (meaning a variety of plants and bugs). All of my birds are dual purpose. Plus I have chicks, layers, molters, broody's, rooster and some of them don't need the extra calcium inside layer and it's easier to feed the whole flock one feed.
How many roosts in the coop? How far apart are they? Is your yard gonna stay green through winter?
Some high protein treats are meal worms, scrambled egg, any cooked chicken/beef/turkey/peas/beans... that kind of stuff. Chicken are omnivores.
