Rescue Chickens-AKA The Baldies

[micstrachan]

Wow, so wonderful of you to take these on. Fingers crossed for you that everyone in both flocks remains healthy.
I do think the baldies are australorps. I also think there is rooster damage and feather picking. Not sure if it’s 100% coincidence, but my only feather picker out of nine hens of nine different breeds, is an Australorp. She has bald areas on her underside (that are only visible when you part the feathers or occasionally if ahe’s preening), so I sometimes wonder if she eats her own feathers, too.
I think you are doing a great job and suspect they will be fine once everyone’s immune systems get used to the other flock.
One thing... I did notice a couple open beaks. Are they just being vocal? Is it hot? Something else?

 

[MizAmberLea]

We live in south central Texas, it is hotter than hades down here. Yesterday it was over 100 degrees... today is predicted to be 104.
All of our chickens pant. I’ve got fans, shade, plenty of water as well as open water for them to stand in if they get brave, and I give them frozen berries and veggies.
It’s rough!

That being said-do y’all think the saddles will be too hot for them right now???

 

[micstrachan]

If it were my flock and I had that many baldies in that much heat, I would likely wait on the saddles. The initial move will be stressful for them, but once things settle down, they may be less stressed than they were in their old setting (and peck less).
How is your existing flock reacting to all the newcomers?
If you have time to observe for an extended period of time, it might be worth trying to figure out which of the baldies are best friends so that when your (human) friend takes some of them, you can try to keep (hen) friends together. Does that make sense? Being separated from their flock is stressful, and I imagine even more so if a favorite friend is suddenly taken away. I know that’s not what you are asking here, but thought I’d throw it out there. Good luck!

 

[micstrachan]

Here’s another train of thought. Do they have enough shade? I would not want them getting sunburnt. Lots to think about. I guess go with your gut. Just keep in mind they’ve been through a lot and less fussing is probably better for now, as long as they seem healthy and as comfortable as possible. Just my thoughts.

 

[Dharmachick]

I used to put sunscreen on my horse with a big white blaze, since he would sunburn easily. Is this a possibility for chickens?

 

[MizAmberLea]

Yes-we have ample shade now and we are putting more roof panels on today for extra.
They are getting along very well with our existing flock-I spent the entire day inside and next to the coop yesterday and didn’t witness any behavioral issues.
Last night they all tucked in on roosts and nesting boxes side by side with our girls without issue.

 

[Eggcessive]

Just a thought about the hen saddles making them too hot—think about them all having feathers and down year round in heat and cold. I have never seen a chicken sweat. Just like dogs, they tend to cool themselves by panting, and chickens will also hold their wings out from their bodies. My hen saddles were made out of polar fleece for a no-sew one piece design. But with enough room to get outside and away from each other now that they live with you, they may do fine without the saddles.

 

[Bweis13]

Good job, MizAmberLea! These birds obviously needed you. It sounds like you’re handling things very well. Since the chickens can’t really say ‘thank you,’ I will. THANK YOU!!!

 

[MizAmberLea]

Update-
We’ve got a good amount of feather regrowth going on down here in the boiling state of Texas!
We are going to go another round of the Blu-Kote tonight-then follow up with Pick-No-More.
They are your typical Australorps... Picking on smaller birds as well as themselves when they get one cornered. And they will lay ANYWHERE! We gather eggs daily-and we have to watch where we walk!

But we are very excited in their progress. Thank you everyone for your comments and advice!

 

[micstrachan]

That’s great news! Is that a typical Australorp trait? I didn’t realize that, and my only bully happens to be an australorp.