Stinky new pullets

[kingme]

I have a question for all you chicken gurus out there. I have raised five brown leghorns from chicks. They have always had a nice clean place to live. When I handle them they don't have a smell, at all. There waste doesn't really smell bad either, but there is plenty of bedding in the coop, and bark in the run to absorb everything. These little girls are about 8 weeks old. I just bought four barred rock pullets that are about 4 months old. The breeder had a lot of birds, 50-60 in the pen. I got them home and they are kind of stinky. I washed them off and cleaned their feet really good, but they still stink. Will this go away now that they are in a situation with less birds, and less crowding? Or do chickens just smell worse as they get bigger? Other then the smell they seem very healthy, bright eyed and active. Is this normal as chickens get a little older? Maybe my city nose just isn't used to it yet.

What do you guys think? Any suggestions?

 

[codybird]

The smell might change after their previous food gets through their system.

 

[onedozenphyllises]

Yeah, I'd give them a little time. They shouldn't be stinky. The only time my birds are smelly at all (at ANY age) is when I have to keep them inside the house for any length of time - you'll notice it then! Otherwise, no, they really shouldn't smell bad. I would guess that it's a product of their previous feed and/or environment.

 

[kingme]

Thanks for the responses. I think it is just a case of being in a small area with a lot of chickens, I don't think it's food related. They are starting to adjust to the new digs, I think they will be happy with our home.

 

[kingme]

Quick update, the chickens smell much better today, it must have been their environment. They are still a little skiddish around us, they clearly were not handled much as chicks...But they seem to be doing ok in their new home.