should i replace my flock? (the problems are that bad) help needed

[oldhenlikesdogs]

the thing is i really don't want to get rid of them there my first every chickens i got, so i really don't want to start over with them its just now am thinking of selling a few and maybe making a new coop for some heritage birds  

Sounds like the start of another chicken addiction.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

Sounds like the start of another chicken addiction.

trust me you have no idea, i want ducks, geese, quail and turkeys as well i all plan on starting out with its too late am addicted to it

 

[Beekissed]

From the sounds of it, it's a space issue or that red lamp, which they don't need. I'd give them plenty of deep litter, some good grit if you don't have any already, a good place to dust(nice and dry and you can buy a bag of clay at most any Lowe's for that...it's fine enough to serve as a good dusting medium), turn off that nasty heat lamp and maybe even give them a loose mineral free choice, like kelp meal, and possibly give them more protein....and I usually don't suggest that to folks, but in this case they just may need something extra.

Have you checked them good for mites or lice? I'd go out at night and take a bright light...look closely at the area around their vents to see if you see any tiny creepy crawlies.

 

[moving coops]

Yes, you would be better to keep actually as they will lay all summer!
Then you just need a small building for new chicks with heat lamp. They grow up but don't lay till fall or later then you cull the older stock. And put heritage in there! Or keep all make more pens lol.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

From the sounds of it, it's a space issue or that red lamp, which they don't need. I'd give them plenty of deep litter, some good grit if you don't have any already, a good place to dust(nice and dry and you can buy a bag of clay at most any Lowe's for that...it's fine enough to serve as a good dusting medium), turn off that nasty heat lamp and maybe even give them a loose mineral free choice, like kelp meal, and possibly give them more protein....and I usually don't suggest that to folks, but in this case they just may need something extra.

Have you checked them good for mites or lice? I'd go out at night and take a bright light...look closely at the area around their vents to see if you see any tiny creepy crawlies.

just went out and checked and there are no mites or lice on them, (checked about 3 of them and saw nothing on them.)

also status update, i moved 6 of the bullies in a pen of there own, and have the other 15 in there usual pen seem to be happy for the moment no more pecking or egg eating once that happened, also cut down on treats and plan on feeding them more protein (does boiled eggs/meat work for some added protein) in a dish, still added stop pick on them every day to stop any sign of bleeding or blood feather coming up, also we added blue food dye to them in a effort to help combat this picking problem.

thanks to everyone who posted so far and still looking forward to anyone else that can help thanks its a small farm out

 

[lazy gardener]

All good suggestions by Bee. Also, by moving the bullies out, you may be nipping the problem. Implement the other suggestions, and you may be set for now.

 

[moving coops]

She does need some source of heat at times in there. Trust me we as much as we can do not use the heat! But where both us are it is very regularly -30s to - 46s!
Very nasty even with insulation!
Water stays frozen all winter long. Oilers 5 to 6 months.

 

[Beekissed]

She does need some source of heat at times in there. Trust me we as much as we can do not use the heat! But where both us are it is very regularly -30s to - 46s!
Very nasty even with insulation!
Water stays frozen all winter long. Oilers 5 to 6 months.

Y'all have any wild birds up there that survive those temps? Not the best place to raise leghorns, that's for sure. You might try Plymouth White Rocks next time...a great winter hardy breed.

Any other way to heat the coop without using the heat lamps? They sure are dangerous in the hands of the less experienced.

 

[mobius]

Sounds like a good partial solution for now, keep an eye on them, all very good comments, good learning time...yes meat and eggs great protein for them...I am giving mine some leftover turkey meat from Christmas and black oil sunflower seeds (meal worms may help too) and mine just started laying again. Every day I give them something or other to keep them busy, and make sure they are out and about even in the snow. Scratch, hay, straw, something to forage for...greens, treats, sprouts, flock block. etc.

Honey mixed with blue food dye may help...

 

[itsasmallfarm]

Y'all have any wild birds up there that survive those temps? Not the best place to raise leghorns, that's for sure. You might try Plymouth White Rocks next time...a great winter hardy breed.

Any other way to heat the coop without using the heat lamps? They sure are dangerous in the hands of the less experienced.

am using one of those ceramic wall heaters (not sure what there called) that gives off infra heat i believe.