Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[chickenraiser24]

Long day for me. I have a friend who has chickens, but he says he does not want them. His sister is in the hospital, so he has been staying there. He told me he has not taken care of his chickens. I went to his house to check on them. They were locked in with no food or water! Incredibly skinny. 15 eggs in the nesting boxes. He has not been collecting them. I will be caring for his chickens while he is gone. He asked me to find them a new home. Meanwhile, I am trying to nurse them back to health. How should I go about feeding them? Slowly increase their food to avoid them getting sick? They have a barred rock, and she is a beautiful bird. Poor chicken, after I left she was trying to run through the fence to get to me. They let me pet them. I will update health tomorrow.

 

[BullChick]

Kat, that really is scary!
CR, that is just so wrong! Of course, you know that. Good grief, you also know it's totally against the law! Wow!
Unlike horses, I don't think that you need to raise feed gradually. Though I do agree with the idea. My opinion is to make sure there is only enough food for each chicken to get a quarter pound. To be sure that one chicken isn't eating all of the food, I would also have several dishes . As many dishes as you can round up.

 

[BullChick]

In my world, duckling has been pretty sick. From throwing up in her sleep, and gagging while awake. Now she has diarrhea. The doctor says it is just a bug she needs to work through. My guess is fifth disease. Or whatever it's called. It's that bug that pretty much everyone gets by the time that they are two years old.

Yesterday we had to round up the ducks 1 million times when they escaped their pen. I think today I finally figured out where they were escaping from.
I will finish this post later.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

I agree with W4W, she'll come around. running a farm is a lot of excitement and important jobs that take precedence over new things that require light bulbs in her brain to turn on first, then it's a piece of cake, give it a couple of days tops and that bean bag will be easy peasy and the bike will be tons of fun! but have fun breakin' that beany in first! here's mine: I got a Yogibo! mine needs breaking in too... but I plan to sleep on it after my surgery. I had this shot taken last night at 8ish, I posted it, finished up on the computer and then returned to it to watch TV. my brother says I was out like a light and he tossed a blanket over me at 9, and I woke up at quarter past 7 (no alarm clock in the living room...) Periwinkle was sound asleep in my arms. best night sleep in a long time! I highly recommend the product. comes in a double size, stretches out to over 7' long, is totally and entirely machine washable, although to do the internal bag... I would have to go to a laundromat and use the biggest front loader they have... but it can be done!
the camel color wasn't my first choice for my taste, but it's the best for hiding most of the dog hair that will accumulate. I got a wine colored cube to prop my leg on when I need to be sitting up a bit and still keep the knee elevated...

That chair looks so comfy! How are the dogs doing? Any bad habits showing?

It was almost as long as a Post-it note. I had to crush it twice.

I'm not bothered by spiders, but that one would get uninvited to the party really quick. How in the world do they get in the house? It's a mystery to me.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Chicken mommy freak out mode....there was a possum in the coop when I went shut the door!

Glad you saw it! Could have been a catastrophe!

Long day for me. I have a friend who has chickens, but he says he does not want them. His sister is in the hospital, so he has been staying there. He told me he has not taken care of his chickens. I went to his house to check on them. They were locked in with no food or water! Incredibly skinny. 15 eggs in the nesting boxes. He has not been collecting them. I will be caring for his chickens while he is gone. He asked me to find them a new home. Meanwhile, I am trying to nurse them back to health. How should I go about feeding them? Slowly increase their food to avoid them getting sick? They have a barred rock, and she is a beautiful bird. Poor chicken, after I left she was trying to run through the fence to get to me. They let me pet them. I will update health tomorrow.

That's really sad, on so many levels. Everything I've heard and experienced about chickens is that they will eat what they need. The exceptions being meat birds (eating machines) and giving too many irresistible treats. They should do fine with self serve chicken feed.

 

[chickenraiser24]

Kat, that really is scary!
CR, that is just so wrong! Of course, you know that. Good grief, you also know it's totally against the law! Wow!
Unlike horses, I don't think that you need to raise feed gradually. Though I do agree with the idea. My opinion is to make sure there is only enough food for each chicken to get a quarter pound. To be sure that one chicken isn't eating all of the food, I would also have several dishes . As many dishes as you can round up.

I just got back from checking on them. Three bowls, three pullets. I set up a heater for them. I sat down and they were sitting in my lap. By the way, what does frost bite look like on their feet? I just want to make sure they have not suffered to much from the cold. They all lay large eggs, and are very sweet pullets. No doubt I can find them a good home. I cannot foster them. City ordinance only lets you have three hens. Would it be wrong to take the eggs? He won't be back for a month, and I do not want them to go to waste. They gobbled up their food.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Take the eggs. You deserve them! He won't care. He's probably worried sick about his sister. Sounds like he has spent a lot of time with the chickens if they are that friendly. Give them more food, feed them up. I'm not experienced with frostbite, but if you are worried, vaseline rubbed on is supposed to help prevent it. Also, roosts that are 2x4s laid flat are good because the birds can keep their feet covered. Is there something you are seeing that makes you think they got frostbite? The combs usually get it first, get blue/black on the tips.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

In my world, duckling has been pretty sick. From throwing up in her sleep, and gagging while awake. Now she has diarrhea. The doctor says it is just a bug she needs to work through. My guess is fifth disease. Or whatever it's called. It's that bug that pretty much everyone gets by the time that they are two years old.

Yesterday we had to round up the ducks 1 million times when they escaped their pen. I think today I finally figured out where they were escaping from.
I will finish this post later.

Ugh. Combat duty for you, MC! Hope your little ducky darling feels better.

Barfy sheets are bad. Barfy sheets that have been slept on all night are the worst! Hope you caught it early! Nice big towel covering the sheets can save some trouble in case she's still nauseous. Best if the ends can be tucked under the mattress.

 

[chickenraiser24]

Hmm. The comb was just a tad blue. I rubbed vaseline on it, and now, a few hours later, it seems a bit better. They are warm, I even added a water heater. They had no chicken feed, so the cost for everything is paid for by me.
Edit: The eggs were delicious! I think one is an EE, one a barred rock, and the third might be a white leghorn. I hope to get them in to a better home ASAP!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Sounds like you've got it all handled! Sell the birds as compensation for your time and money spent. He gave his permission and you are doing him a favor by saving him a visit from animal control and a potential cruelty charge. They are probably fairly young if they are laying during this time of year. Depending on where you live, pullet/hen laying well will sell for $10-$15 or more. Try craigslist.