Petrified poop

[Beaglegal]

Just scrape it off as best as you can, no need to do it all at once.
A dust mask might not be a bad idea.


Both the feathers and the egg drop are likely due to time of year.

I wouldn't spray for bugs unless you see them.

Bug check notes:
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Do I need to check all the birds or just a sampling?

 

[Beaglegal]

Did you ever have chickens before? Wow that’s a lot! I’m jealous. That’s some badarse chicken math

Never, I did plan on keeping chickens but not on that scale originally. Although I am glad she left the ducks because I never intended to keep ducks, and I rather like them. We do have 4.3 acres, so there is room. Next year I want turkeys!

 

[Chicken Heel]

Yes, that’s how it feels, especially when the chicks started coming out

of the woods. I think they were downsizing so I think they took some...

Good luck with your "new" birds. Your referencing the hens coming out of the woods with their chicks brings back memories of my youth. My grandpa had given me a bantam hen with 12 chicks and a year later I had over 80. Those 12 chicks end up being 7 pullets and 5 roosters and the chicken math kicked in pretty quickly after that. One of those pullets ended up bringing 20 chicks out of the woods the next spring which was so exciting for me at the time.

 

[doublecrossranch]

Did you ever have chickens before? Wow that’s a lot! I’m jealous. That’s some badarse chicken math

 

[Banditschickens]

LOL well just remember the cost of food.

 

[Beaglegal]

Good luck with your "new" birds. Your referencing the hens coming out of the woods with their chicks brings back memories of my youth. My grandpa had given me a bantam hen with 12 chicks and a year later I had over 80. Those 12 chicks end up being 7 pullets and 5 roosters and the chicken math kicked in pretty quickly after that. One of those pullets ended up bringing 20 chicks out of the woods the next spring which was so exciting for me at the time.

I’m glad to have brought up a happy memory!