Odd Buff Orpington

[Andi]

I have a Buff Orpington that just doesn't seem right, and I'd like to get the opinions of you guys that have more experience than me.

When I bought her I got 2. I sold her sister, who's personality was friendly and not shy. This one, named Olga, seems to be a bit of a loner, although she does snuggle in with everyone at night. She seems to tire easily, almost like she has that sleeping disorder where people fall asleep in the middle of a sentence. I often find that she just lays down, her beak pokes down on the ground and she's out. I can wake her up easily, although I don't. Her eyes often look sleepy also. She's been that way ever since I got her at a day or 2 old. She's now 6 weeks. She seems to eats well. Her sister grew faster though.

I'm new to chickens and don't know if she looks like what she should. Do all Buff Orpingtons have short necks and squatty bodies? I've read that they have a quiet disposition, but how quiet is too much?

I'm I worrying about nothing? My plan is to just have a small mixed egg laying flock, so its not like I need high production out of her. Do chickens die from failure to thrive at as old as a month and a half? She seems fine, health wise, from what I can tell, but just seems sleepy all the time and isn't as out going as the other chickens.

Here's pics from this morning.

Here you can see she's snuggled in with everybody else. All the chickens were born within a day or 2 of each other. Olga is the only Buff Orpington in the flock. This was taken last night.

 

[JennsPeeps]

I've got a blue cochin who is a loner, too. She's jsut fine, though, but happy to do her own thing. Keep an eye on this chick to see how she does. Loners are OK.

I noticed in your pen a couple of things about your set-up:
1. I suggest you add a roost for the birds. This will keep them out of their droppings and off the ground at night. A 2x4 on its side (wide side up) will make a fine roost. It only has to be a few inches up to work for them.
2. I noticed that you've got chicken wire. This is not predator proof and will not prevent racoons, possums, or dogs away from your birds. Beef up the security with some hardware cloth (available at any home store).

Good luck!

 

[Andi]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Security is a dog kennel 1 foot from the chicken run. The gray on the other side of the fencing in that pic is the dog kennel cement. We have 3 LARGE dogs and never have cats, coons, weasels, or possum come in the yard. The poultry fencing is secured on both sides with 1 x 6s and many screws. It would be very difficult for anything to break through it. About the only threat is owls because the top of the run is open. With the dogs I doubt there would be enough time for anything to get in and do much harm without the whole neighborhood being alerted by the dogs.

They do have a spot they can go inside, but for some reason prefer being outside at night. They only go inside during the day. They have a 1 x 6 x 48 laying flat in there and poop all over it, so sleeping on that won't keep them out of the droppings. I'm hoping that once they start laying eggs they will be a bit more refined about where they poop and lay. The cornish cross super poopers will be getting butchered in 2 weeks, I'm working on rehoming 3 egg layers, and its looking like the bantams might be both roos and also need rehoming, so that will help cut down on the poop.

I currently rake out their run every other day also, so its not as bad as you might think. I'm trying very hard to keep it as clean as possible because I don't live on a farm.

Again, thanks for the suggestions.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Andi, it sounds like you've got a great set-up. I made the suggestions since I noticed you were fairly new to BYC and based on what I saw in your pics. Glad to hear that you're taking good precautions for the girls. I live in the city, too, and we've got 10 girls in the yard. Our biggest problem right now is flies. It's gross. Bluhhh

 

[RAWR]

hmm...it dont look like theres anything wrong with her. my buff Princess Peach kinda looks like that xD
maybe shes just sleepy.
i wouldnt worry about it. it could be something that she'll grow out of