PLEASE HELP I DON"T KNOW WHAT TO DO

[HENS-and-MARES]

I have some similar looking hens, that are supposed to be RIR crosses with New Hampshire reds, that are also supposed to be sex links...... (sound fishy?) I think they are production reds, and are probably part golden comet. That coop is tiny and probably could keep 2 happy BANTAMS! The best chicken coop that I could find online is the Eglu go up thing, and it’s a little expensive and takes FOREVER to arrive, there are lots of run less coops but almost all of the online coops that have runs are said to be way to small as well. I personally bought a big dog run to attach to my shed like coop, built to be a coop, have any sheds you can put them in? Even if they can’t be outside at the same time I have a feeling they will be happier.

 

[aart]

Who is over ruling you?

This has never been made clear in the months we've been advising.
I'd give different advise if it's a parent/child thing or all adult roommates scenario.

 

[swamphiker]

As others have said, the main issue with both the coop and the run is that they are both much too small, though they look well-built and secure. The red chickens are

You've mentioned being "overruled" several times regarding your chicken plans. I presume this is a disagreement between you and another member of your household and/or family? The bottom line is that these chickens absolutely NEED more space to be happy and productive. Minimum space recommendations are 10 sq. ft. per chicken in the run and 4 sq. ft. per chicken in the coop.

I hope you are able to come up with a satisfactory arrangement with the other members of your household that everyone can agree upon. If not, you might reconsider your plans to keep chickens, both for the chickens' well-being and that of all of the members of your household.

Best of luck to you!

 

[LadyAchee]

I just went through the same type of scenario with my in laws. They live nextdoor to us and we got chickens together as a family. With 4 adults and 1 project we butted heads ALOT! With me being the only one doing actual research but I was usually able to persuade them if I showed them evidence. lol.

 

[NatJ]

About the chickens' appearance: they don't look too bad to me. Within a few days, the scabs will heal up, and some of the feathers will get tidied up as they have time to relax and preen. The missing feathers will get replaced at the next molt, which would naturally happen in the fall--so only a few months away.

Nothing to be done about trimmed beaks except see whether they grow out again, which depends on how short they were cut in the first place. I can't see them clearly, but they don't look too awfully short.

Combs get injured and bleed really easily (like when trying to catch a flighty bird, who runs into the wrong corner and bashes herself on something.) But combs also heal quite quickly. So I really think they'll be much better in just a few days.

 

[black_cat]

It's a parent child thing. I'm obviously the minor here. They don't want to spend more money on the chickens (I explained that renting them is literally the least cost efficient option) and I have limited money available. They understand that the chickens need more space, but want to let the rental run its course before letting me (me! I would do it myself!) build anything else. I want a total of 6 birds in a 5x5 coop in a 5x10 run, so I'd build the coop that big. I'm still struggling to check for eggs-even when they're all in the run, if they hear me doing the latch, one will hop back into the coop. I've gotten a glimpse in, but only enough to see that the food is full of pine shavings . This evening I plan to be super sneaky and when they're all in the run, block the door with something and take the food and water (and eggs?) out. Then when they're all in to roost, block the door again and fix up the run. Also add the refilled food and water to it, as well as the grit and OS. I was outside with them, then it started raining. My roof seems to be working, which is good. It does look like they've figured out the dust bath, as there was a chicken sized hole in the dirt when I got home. You guys are right-they do look like red sex links.

 

[black_cat]

View attachment 2221848
Okay obviously not to scale.. but just showing you what I'd consider. Yellow would be the dog run, green the tarp, and blue the ramp/ladder. If you can't get a dog run right away maybe you could build a similar type of structure with deer netting and 2x2's. Just trying to help give you ideas.

That seems like a great idea! As I said-it would probably only be a safety net type thing at first, but it seems great! I'll offer to build and pay for it, then I might get somewhere. I may have a problem convincing-the birds do seem happy like this, even to me who is *really annoyed* that they have to be in such a small space. I do have to be careful about asking though, as otherwise I'm told that 'I should appreciate what I have' and 'Need to stop complaining' and 'am acting like a spoiled brat'

 

[black_cat]

About the chickens' appearance: they don't look too bad to me. Within a few days, the scabs will heal up, and some of the feathers will get tidied up as they have time to relax and preen. The missing feathers will get replaced at the next molt, which would naturally happen in the fall--so only a few months away.

Nothing to be done about trimmed beaks except see whether they grow out again, which depends on how short they were cut in the first place. I can't see them clearly, but they don't look too awfully short.

Combs get injured and bleed really easily (like when trying to catch a flighty bird, who runs into the wrong corner and bashes herself on something.) But combs also heal quite quickly. So I really think they'll be much better in just a few days.

I don't know how bad their beaks are as I have nothing to compare them with in my head, but both tops and bottoms of the beaks are cut, not just one or the other. They don't seem to be pecking more at the combs with scabs. I guess that they just look really bad to me-I'm used to my friend's sleek and healthy looking chickens.

 

[RobertaD1]

So for now, it seems things are under control. Your next step is a bigger run. I don't know if you can do much with the coop, but you could give them a nice place to stretch their legs,and help with any squabbles. Start scouring craigslist, Facebook marketplace... Ask people around your area for that kennel. Someone may give you one of you can haul it away.... or even a few extra panels. Then some hardware cloth for an apron along the bottom.

 

[RobertaD1]

They will be even happier with more room... And more productive!