Hi,
I have 6 hens of different ages. Penny (RI Red) is from my first flock (she's ~5 now), Daisy (Brahma) will be a year in August, the 2 "teens" (Cinnamon & Licorice - Cinnamon Queen & Black Astralorpe) were born in March, and the 2 "babies" (Iris & Lilly - Black Sexlink & Auracana) were born in April. They are all free range for the majority of the time. Daisy flies up on my shoulder every day for a nuzzle! (Best thing ever - though it's usually after I've washed my hair.
)
Anyhow, the oldest had runny poo for a few weeks but had been otherwise fine. When I noticed it a few days ago on the 1 year old, I gave them both epsom salt baths, treated the water for 3 days with with Corid and probiotics, and also gave them each both some B vitamins. Penny (the oldest) has the runny poop again, Daisy has it just a little, the others don't have it. Their vents are not blocked but the poo is stuck to the feathers. Are there better ways to clean this aside from epsom salt baths?
I have been managing the fly population with traps and a natural repellant spray as well as treating the premise with diatomaceous earth. Should I keep up the Corid or use something else?
Also, I had been feeding the wild birds. Penny and Daisy have always ventured up to the front of the house where the bird feeders are, so I wondered about that. Now that they are bigger, the younger girls have begun to do the same. I have since stopped doing that (since last week) because I heard that the wild bird droppings can introduce lice and mites. Could this be an issue?
I do not see anything abnormal in any of the poo in or around the coop.
If there are any chicken lovers in the Ayer, MA area who would want to stop by and give me some feedback, I'd be ever grateful. If not, I would appreciate any words of wisdom the online community can offer.
Thanks,
Sharon and the Ladies at Pleasant Abbey
I have 6 hens of different ages. Penny (RI Red) is from my first flock (she's ~5 now), Daisy (Brahma) will be a year in August, the 2 "teens" (Cinnamon & Licorice - Cinnamon Queen & Black Astralorpe) were born in March, and the 2 "babies" (Iris & Lilly - Black Sexlink & Auracana) were born in April. They are all free range for the majority of the time. Daisy flies up on my shoulder every day for a nuzzle! (Best thing ever - though it's usually after I've washed my hair.
) Anyhow, the oldest had runny poo for a few weeks but had been otherwise fine. When I noticed it a few days ago on the 1 year old, I gave them both epsom salt baths, treated the water for 3 days with with Corid and probiotics, and also gave them each both some B vitamins. Penny (the oldest) has the runny poop again, Daisy has it just a little, the others don't have it. Their vents are not blocked but the poo is stuck to the feathers. Are there better ways to clean this aside from epsom salt baths?
I have been managing the fly population with traps and a natural repellant spray as well as treating the premise with diatomaceous earth. Should I keep up the Corid or use something else?
Also, I had been feeding the wild birds. Penny and Daisy have always ventured up to the front of the house where the bird feeders are, so I wondered about that. Now that they are bigger, the younger girls have begun to do the same. I have since stopped doing that (since last week) because I heard that the wild bird droppings can introduce lice and mites. Could this be an issue?
I do not see anything abnormal in any of the poo in or around the coop.
If there are any chicken lovers in the Ayer, MA area who would want to stop by and give me some feedback, I'd be ever grateful. If not, I would appreciate any words of wisdom the online community can offer.
Thanks,
Sharon and the Ladies at Pleasant Abbey
