Rescuing neglected chickens...help!

[Grits&Eggs]

I haven't read everything, but is there a way to visit them where they are to see the conditions, they may be too far gone! Good luck!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Oh.....one other thing.....

The feeder under the sawhorse is likely to be pooped in.

They poop an amazing amount while sleeping.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

The Coop is lookin good
Looking forward to seeing your new flock in there.
Just wanted to say, especially when they are skittish, it's a lot easier to do what you need to do straight away while the poor girls are still in 'transport shock'. Tomorrow it may be really difficult to do anything with them. I find it best to let them settle the first few days, hence why I do everything on arrival, even if it's dark. That's my experience, we all have our own ways though - what works for me may not work for you. But best of luck with their arrival and will eagerly await news

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Looks great!!
I agree - I worry about the lamp, secure it very well. Those clamps can come loose for sure. I suggest that you also secure the cord somehow, this way if the clamp comes off, the cord will still hold. I have used lamps, but they were secured at least 3 different ways LOL

You have done a wonderful job in such a short time.
As for whether they need a bath or to wait....that is something you will need to decide when you get the hens. Since you have not seen them and don't know what kind of shape they are in, it's hard to know. They may be o.k. with a good dusting before they go into their new happy home or they may really need a scrubbing.

Thank you for keeping the thread updated.

 

[WindingRoad]

Looks great!!
I agree - I worry about the lamp, secure it very well. Those clamps can come loose for sure. I suggest that you also secure the cord somehow, this way if the clamp comes off, the cord will still hold. I have used lamps, but they were secured at least 3 different ways LOL

You have done a wonderful job in such a short time.
As for whether they need a bath or to wait....that is something you will need to decide when you get the hens. Since you have not seen them and don't know what kind of shape they are in, it's hard to know. They may be o.k. with a good dusting before they go into their new happy home or they may really need a scrubbing.

Thank you for keeping the thread updated.

With the weather we are having here in Maine no matter how dry you think you've gotten them I wouldn't bathe them. Damn cold here. Only gonna be 11F tomorrow with the sun out. And Sunday a major nor'ster. They will be ok without a bath. Might get out the Bag Balm and slather their legs for mites. But right now the basics, shelter, good food, (no mush LOL), and clean water.

 

[77horses]

Oh.....one other thing.....

The feeder under the sawhorse is likely to be pooped in.

They poop an amazing amount while sleeping.

Thanks for mentioning this! Don’t worry, I’m well acquainted with the amount of poop one chicken can make so I did think about that with the placement of the feed container. It doesn’t look like it in the pictures but the top of the sawhorse is wider than the feed container. Here’s looking down at the sawhorse, with the feed underneath:

Unless one of them has projectile diarrhea (which tbh I wouldn’t put it past them lol wouldn’t be the first time) I think it should be okay! If they manage to get poop in it, I’ll just move it

 

[77horses]

With the weather we are having here in Maine no matter how dry you think you've gotten them I wouldn't bathe them. Damn cold here. Only gonna be 11F tomorrow with the sun out. And Sunday a major nor'ster. They will be ok without a bath. Might get out the Bag Balm and slather their legs for mites. But right now the basics, shelter, good food, (no mush LOL), and clean water.

Yeah that’s what I was thinking as well. I think we’ll just get them dusted and put some Vaseline on their legs and call it good. Maybe we’ll get a “warmer” 40+ day in the somewhat near future when I can give them a proper cleaning! Unlikely from how the weather is right now though lol

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Yeah that’s what I was thinking as well. I think we’ll just get them dusted and put some Vaseline on their legs and call it good. Maybe we’ll get a “warmer” 40+ day in the somewhat near future when I can give them a proper cleaning! Unlikely from how the weather is right now though lol

I'm guessing once you get them dusted and Vaselined they will dust bath the rest of the dirt off within their first week in their clean surroundings!

 

[77horses]

Looks great!!
I agree - I worry about the lamp, secure it very well. Those clamps can come loose for sure. I suggest that you also secure the cord somehow, this way if the clamp comes off, the cord will still hold. I have used lamps, but they were secured at least 3 different ways LOL

You have done a wonderful job in such a short time.
As for whether they need a bath or to wait....that is something you will need to decide when you get the hens. Since you have not seen them and don't know what kind of shape they are in, it's hard to know. They may be o.k. with a good dusting before they go into their new happy home or they may really need a scrubbing.

Thank you for keeping the thread updated.

I probably should’ve mentioned that I wasn’t totally through with figuring out the lamp when I posted those pictures I’m far too paranoid to trust the flimsy clamp that comes with it. I tied a short nylon rope as a “safety cord” to the lamp, if it does come undone it will just hang from the rope. So there’s no way it would fall unless someone intentionally untied the safety rope. Thank you!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I am really hoping they are not really gross dirty.

Maybe a nice "clean" dirt bath area in the coop since outside is all wet.

Mine like peat moss mixed with sand and wood ash.......