Howdy, I have a flock of 60 hens 1 rooster, a year old. All organic, noticed a hen today clucking at the end of each cluck us a honk sound? She's a RIR. I noticed I have a black sex link sitting in the nest laying an egg and she is moving her neck and mounth nothing coming out, thought hmm. Mute? She jumped out and sure enough sound? One other RIR back is bald, had poo stuck to back end feathers, vent us clear little bit of white foam? I feed organic pellet the are pasture raised barn is 60 feet by 30 feet with 60 chickens its alot of room. I feed them apples off the tree, grapes off the vines when on season, winter is pellet, scratch, flax seed, veggie & fruit scraps, live mealworms I raise on the farm, oyster she'll at times hard boiled eggs. They all seem healthy and hearty water is fresh daily inside and out in pastures every other week I add apple cider vinager for 3 days. Alt weeks cloves garlic press into water for 3 days. ANY help with thsee threw issues would be great. I am not against medication to make them healthier is in fact it is health issue or food? They are laying large to xlarge eggs daily. Thanks a lot. I'm new so I hope I will get some response and be able to retrieve. Lol. I have pics and a video of the chicken honk.
Greetings from Kansas, Dwayne, and ! Pleased you joined our community! I sure don't know what the issues might be - or if they even are issues. The bald back - could that be from repeated matings from the rooster? You might post in this link if you suspect a health issue: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures Others will soon chime in with opinions. Good luck to you!
G’Day from down under Dwyane Welcome! I hope the folks on the ER Forum redsoxs has given you a link to are able to help you out. I also hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. You might want to also pop in and say hello on your local thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you ‘Find your State’s thread. If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out
I would think with 60 hens to ONE rooster, that he would be too exhausted to do much mating. Maybe the one with the bald spot, is the only one slow enough for him to catch. I wonder if the assorted extras they get are causing problems. If I had to drink some apple cider vinegar, I think I would lose my voice too! Too tart
