Struggling New Chicken Owner

[yoyochickenlady]

Hello!

About a month ago I adopted my neighbor’s chickens because she moved out of state. I have one Rhode Island Red and two Golden Laced Wyandottes.

I feel like we have had several issues already that I could use some advice on.

The first 10 or so days seemed to go fine. The RIR was laying most days and the GLW were laying about every other day.

Then, one of the GLW started molting pretty heavily and understandably stopped laying. The other GLW stopped laying as well and then also began to molt but not as bad. This started about 3 weeks ago.

I also realized that they are sleeping in their nest boxes because the coop we bought is very poorly designed. The roost bars were too skinny and at the same level as the nest boxes. We have made some DIY improvements but I really have no idea how to get them to roost or if the roost bars we installed are any good.

Now, our biggest issue is the RIR has bumblefoot. She was limping one day and when she was still limping the next day I inspected her and found one dark scab on each foot. I did the nonsurgical treatment and really it seemed to go great. However, she is still limping. I’ve changed her bandages every other day and did a soak one other time but nothing else really came off/out. Here are photos of her feet.

My main questions are:

1. Do you think the bumblefoot looks ok and she is still just a little sore which is causing the limp?
2. Do you think they aren’t laying because of molting/bumblefoot or because they are sleeping in their nest boxes?
3. Advice on getting them to roost properly and getting to lay again is much appreciated!

Thank you for reading

 

[black_cat]

Welcome to BYC! Pics of your setup would be great. Molt, and decrease of daylight will cause egg production to slow-they'll lay even if they sleep in the boxes. You could cover the boxes at night, then take each one and place them on the roost.

 

[Ribh]

Hello!

About a month ago I adopted my neighbor’s chickens because she moved out of state. I have one Rhode Island Red and two Golden Laced Wyandottes.

I feel like we have had several issues already that I could use some advice on.

The first 10 or so days seemed to go fine. The RIR was laying most days and the GLW were laying about every other day.

Then, one of the GLW started molting pretty heavily and understandably stopped laying. The other GLW stopped laying as well and then also began to molt but not as bad. This started about 3 weeks ago.

I also realized that they are sleeping in their nest boxes because the coop we bought is very poorly designed. The roost bars were too skinny and at the same level as the nest boxes. We have made some DIY improvements but I really have no idea how to get them to roost or if the roost bars we installed are any good.

Now, our biggest issue is the RIR has bumblefoot. She was limping one day and when she was still limping the next day I inspected her and found one dark scab on each foot. I did the nonsurgical treatment and really it seemed to go great. However, she is still limping. I’ve changed her bandages every other day and did a soak one other time but nothing else really came off/out. Here are photos of her feet.

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My main questions are:

1. Do you think the bumblefoot looks ok and she is still just a little sore which is causing the limp?
2. Do you think they aren’t laying because of molting/bumblefoot or because they are sleeping in their nest boxes?
3. Advice on getting them to roost properly and getting to lay again is much appreciated!

Thank you for reading

If you are in the Northern hemisphere your days are getting shorter & not only are your girls beginning their moult they are preparing for their winter rest. Most hens don't lay over winter. You could encourage them with supplemental light but I wouldn't just because, like us, their bodies need a rest & recovery.

You could try lifting your girls onto the roost once it's fully dark. Most hens are fairly placid & easily handled then. They will get the idea & eventually do it themselves.

Pictures of your set up would be good. It will help people identify the problems.

Sorry can't help with the bumble foot. All the best with your new girls.

 

[black_cat]

Props for you for knowing what's going on-most people I know would adopt chickens and be like-wHY ARE thEy LOsING thEIR FEaTHERs aRE tHEy dYiNg!?!??!?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Welcome to BYC! Pics of your setup would be great. Molt, and decrease of daylight will cause egg production to slow-they'll lay even if they sleep in the boxes. You could cover the boxes at night, then take each one and place them on the roost.

X2.

 

[yoyochickenlady]

Welcome to BYC! Pics of your setup would be great. Molt, and decrease of daylight will cause egg production to slow-they'll lay even if they sleep in the boxes. You could cover the boxes at night, then take each one and place them on the roost.

Thanks for your reply! Here are some photos of the coop and nest boxes/roost area. You can see the place where the original roost bars were, down in front of the nest boxes.

 

[yoyochickenlady]

If you are in the Northern hemisphere your days are getting shorter & not only are your girls beginning their moult they are preparing for their winter rest. Most hens don't lay over winter. You could encourage them with supplemental light but I wouldn't just because, like us, their bodies need a rest & recovery.

You could try lifting your girls onto the roost once it's fully dark. Most hens are fairly placid & easily handled then. They will get the idea & eventually do it themselves.

Pictures of your set up would be good. It will help people identify the problems.

Sorry can't help with the bumble foot. All the best with your new girls.

Thank you! Happy to let them rest over the winter, I was worried I was doing something wrong since they have completely stopped laying. I posted pictures of my set up on a previous reply. Thank you again!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thanks for your reply! Here are some photos of the coop and nest boxes/roost area. You can see the place where the original roost bars were, down in front of the nest boxes.
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While cute the coop is to small.

What I would do.....

Close in the "run" section of the coop/run combo making that whole structure the coop.
Remove the wall between the coop and run so a long roost can be installed.

Modify the nests to be more closed in.

 

[Ribh]

Thanks for your reply! Here are some photos of the coop and nest boxes/roost area. You can see the place where the original roost bars were, down in front of the nest boxes.
View attachment 2365179

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Just a thought. Your girls may be finding it hard to reach the roost while in moult. A ramp or ladder might help. I'm not a good judge of distances but it seems a little high for one leap.

 

[aart]

I'm not a good judge of distances but it seems a little high for one leap.

Only because it's in such a tight space.