- Nov 1, 2010
- 54
- 1
- 31
I just rescued 6 hens and a rooster that have been starved. They are very very good chickens. The man that owned them raised chickens all his life, showed and judged. These chickens were his pride and joy. He had heart surgery and then a massive stroke and has been in the nursing home for 3 months. Someone misunderstood how much to feed and has fed a very small fraction of what was needed. I only brought home these particular ones but there were others that were not the quality that these are.
I have them settled in tonight and have had chickens before but not in this shape. When I picked up one of the hens she weighs so little that it can't be much more than feathers and bones. The rooster also has trouble with his legs, I noticed one in particular is red, he can stand but not much and has little spirit. There was another rooster there in better shape so I think this one has had practically nothing to eat and may not make it.
I tried to stress them as little as possible and give them something to eat. I have layer pellets and chick starter and have greens from the garden I can give them tomorrow and maybe get them some cottage cheese and some egg. maybe even some ground round. I noticed that there was oyster shell or something comparable. I try not to medicate. If I am judging the man right, and he had really cut down on his numbers, these are probably last years chickens. So not real old chickens.
Does anyone have anything to add that might make a difference, I really would like not to loose these chickens. I think two of the hens and the rooster are in the worst shape as I saw one hen just laying there when I went in to get them and she laid there quite a bit when the others were moving around. Then the one that weighs hardly anything and the rooster. If I can get them doing better I will check for bugs and dust but if I can wait until they are stronger I would like to.
Appreciate all of you and your expertise.
I have them settled in tonight and have had chickens before but not in this shape. When I picked up one of the hens she weighs so little that it can't be much more than feathers and bones. The rooster also has trouble with his legs, I noticed one in particular is red, he can stand but not much and has little spirit. There was another rooster there in better shape so I think this one has had practically nothing to eat and may not make it.
I tried to stress them as little as possible and give them something to eat. I have layer pellets and chick starter and have greens from the garden I can give them tomorrow and maybe get them some cottage cheese and some egg. maybe even some ground round. I noticed that there was oyster shell or something comparable. I try not to medicate. If I am judging the man right, and he had really cut down on his numbers, these are probably last years chickens. So not real old chickens.
Does anyone have anything to add that might make a difference, I really would like not to loose these chickens. I think two of the hens and the rooster are in the worst shape as I saw one hen just laying there when I went in to get them and she laid there quite a bit when the others were moving around. Then the one that weighs hardly anything and the rooster. If I can get them doing better I will check for bugs and dust but if I can wait until they are stronger I would like to.
Appreciate all of you and your expertise.