Please Help with some questions

[tifaus]

Hi Guys!
Since you were amazing last time in helping me figure out what was wrong with my chickens the last time, I figured I would ask for some more help. Recently, we were hit by Hurricane Irma and during that time my bantam hen's (tiny belle) eggs decided to hatch. I am now the proud mother of 3 chicks. However, the other hen was very aggressive toward the chicks so I removed tiny belle, the chicks, and her 2 other eggs that have not hatched yet. I have two issues. First, we will start with tiny belle. I believe she might have mites or lice. She keeps digging in her feathers. What can I put on her that won't harm the babies? Her comb is also very light and looks dry. My second problem is, I am thinking of removing my other bantam hen and putting her with my other flock because in her flock it is just her and 2 roosters. The roosters are very aggressive toward her. She has a giant scab on her comb and the poor thing is almost bald on the top of her head. Should I do that? If so, how would I introduce her? Or should I introduce all three of them to the other flock? It would be 3 roosters to 5 hens until tiny belle and her babies are ready to be introduced. Any ideas or suggestions will help. Thank you guys soooo much!

Tiffany

 

[Kiki]

First....get a permethrin based product to get rid of the mites and or lice asap. If the chicks get it they can die much faster than an adult bird.

Second...I would for sure get the one hen our of the cage with the two rooster....They will end up killing her....I t may sound harsh but it can happen quicker than you may think.

Do you have enough room to put her in a wire cage inside the other coop so she can live in it for a while, being close to the other chickens but safe so they don't start attacking her too?

 

[sbhkma]

^ this. When you treat for mites/lice make sure you treat the coop very well and replace all bedding. And then treat the birds too. A permethrin spray will do the trick for them all. I generally treat a second time in 10 days. In addition, having 3 roosters to 5 hens is not a good idea in the least. Rule of thumb is something like 1 rooster to 10 hens. This ratio is going to cause a lot of problems for the hens and the roos. Glad you fared ok during Irma!

 

[keesmom]

First, we will start with tiny belle. I believe she might have mites or lice. She keeps digging in her feathers. What can I put on her that won't harm the babies? Her comb is also very light and looks dry.
Tiffany

As others have already stated treat her with Permethrin.

I am thinking of removing my other bantam hen and putting her with my other flock because in her flock it is just her and 2 roosters. The roosters are very aggressive toward her. She has a giant scab on her comb and the poor thing is almost bald on the top of her head. Should I do that? If so, how would I introduce her? Or should I introduce all three of them to the other flock? It would be 3 roosters to 5 hens until tiny belle and her babies are ready to be introduced. Any ideas or suggestions will help. Thank you guys soooo much!

Tiffany

You need to move that poor hen ASAP. You're lucky they haven't done more damage to her.

You are going to have to think about how to manage all those males. Three to only 5 hens is a less than ideal ratio. Even when you are able to add the broody and her chicks, odds are good that one or two of those chicks are male (in my case it would be all 3...). Even if you happen to luck out and all of the chicks are pullets, 9 hens are often not enough for just one male let alone 3.

You may want to consider getting rid of some (or even all) of them, butchering some, or building a bachelor pad if you can't part with any.

 

[tifaus]

 

[tifaus]

Thank you all for the advice. As you can see, she's hanging with Dad and is happy. I think we are going to do the bachelor pad idea. My husband is pretty fond of our boys.

 

[Kiki]

Thank you all for the advice. As you can see, she's hanging with Dad and is happy. I think we are going to do the bachelor pad idea. My husband is pretty fond of our boys.

great idea.

He does know not to wear earrings when he is wearing a chicken like that right?

 

[tifaus]

great idea.

He does know not to wear earrings when he is wearing a chicken like that right?

Hahaha. No, but I will make sure to tell him. She is very fond of toe nail polish and pecking at my toes. Lol

 

[Kiki]

I have seen people (well not see but read here on BYC) numerous times about having their earring stolen right from their ears.
The only lady lost both diamond earrings that day..and the chick died.

Just saying...warn him!

 

[tifaus]

First....get a permethrin based product to get rid of the mites and or lice asap. If the chicks get it they can die much faster than an adult bird.

Second...I would for sure get the one hen our of the cage with the two rooster....They will end up killing her....I t may sound harsh but it can happen quicker than you may think.

Do you have enough room to put her in a wire cage inside the other coop so she can live in it for a while, being close to the other chickens but safe so they don't start attacking her too?

I put her in a large animal trap we have with all of her needs in the other flocks coop. So far, they've just been very curious if it. Do you know how long should I keep her in there?