- May 20, 2014
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Soooooooo, I decided to get change out my flock, sold the others and got 14 18 week old Isa Browns. I'm picky about my chickens food and care. Well, I don't know what my problem was, but I didn't ask questions when getting these.
First, they came debeaked. I have NOT been in contact with a hen that has had this and I was shocked. Some of them have been cut back way to far, IMO. Anyway, I told the place I got them what I thought about that. They didn't realize this place did this either, so they couldn't have warned me.
Second. As soon as I picked them up one pooped and it had blood in it. I mentioned it and she told me to watch them. I was guessing it was the stress. Well, today I found this weird stuff in her poo. (pic) Also, I have seen several hens do a gagging thing. Like stretch her neck out, open her mouth and do like a gag thing. No noise. I called and the lady thought it could be Gape Worm, Crop or Respiratory Infection. If I treat with antibiotic and they start laying, I have to throw away the eggs for 2 weeks. She also wants me to swap their throat for the worms and feel where their food goes to make sure it's not hard. Seriously??? I JUST GOT THESE AND I'M HAVING TO DO ALL OF THIS???? And she is NOT giving me the antibiotic, either. She is VERY sweet and has been helpful, but I'm frustrated with the time and effort that I'm having to put into them.
These chickens OBVIOUSLY have come from a hatchery that they were enclosed with too many other chickens and have no idea how to scratch, roost, go outside in the morning, etc. Well, they are learning to roost and tonight has been the first in 5 days that they came outside ON THEIR OWN.
Anyway, what do you think about these pics? Is there a natural way to treat these birds?
And tonight when they came out they kept running around, puffing out their neck feathers like they were going attack each other, then stop and they start scratching the ground or whatever. Then take off and act like that again. I have never seen this kind of behavior, but I'm wondering if they're just discovering their world.
Thanks,
Sonya
I'm going to try to attach a picture.
First, they came debeaked. I have NOT been in contact with a hen that has had this and I was shocked. Some of them have been cut back way to far, IMO. Anyway, I told the place I got them what I thought about that. They didn't realize this place did this either, so they couldn't have warned me.
Second. As soon as I picked them up one pooped and it had blood in it. I mentioned it and she told me to watch them. I was guessing it was the stress. Well, today I found this weird stuff in her poo. (pic) Also, I have seen several hens do a gagging thing. Like stretch her neck out, open her mouth and do like a gag thing. No noise. I called and the lady thought it could be Gape Worm, Crop or Respiratory Infection. If I treat with antibiotic and they start laying, I have to throw away the eggs for 2 weeks. She also wants me to swap their throat for the worms and feel where their food goes to make sure it's not hard. Seriously??? I JUST GOT THESE AND I'M HAVING TO DO ALL OF THIS???? And she is NOT giving me the antibiotic, either. She is VERY sweet and has been helpful, but I'm frustrated with the time and effort that I'm having to put into them.
These chickens OBVIOUSLY have come from a hatchery that they were enclosed with too many other chickens and have no idea how to scratch, roost, go outside in the morning, etc. Well, they are learning to roost and tonight has been the first in 5 days that they came outside ON THEIR OWN.
Anyway, what do you think about these pics? Is there a natural way to treat these birds?
And tonight when they came out they kept running around, puffing out their neck feathers like they were going attack each other, then stop and they start scratching the ground or whatever. Then take off and act like that again. I have never seen this kind of behavior, but I'm wondering if they're just discovering their world.
Thanks,
Sonya
I'm going to try to attach a picture.
