My 2-year-old Barred Rock was noted to have her ear lobes turning a bit white today. She was also a bit sluggish and tended to want to be quiet and in darker places today - although it was an unseasonably hot spring day here in Atlanta - 85 degrees. She lives in a coop with another 2-year-old RIR. One of them dropped a shell-less egg last night. The Barred Rock got in her nesting box today, but did not lay.
History - 3.5 weeks ago I got 3 - 8-12 week old Buff Orpingtons. They are in an adjacent coop and pen. Last week, I decided I needed to start gradually introducing them to each other so let them all out to free range together. There was the typical behavior of establishing hierarchy, but nothing more. The Buffs, for all purposes seem healthy. I make my own organic feed and they all get a bit of fresh breakfast in the morning - leftover greens from salad the night before, organic blueberries and maybe a bit of brown rice or whole wheat bread. I put 5% Diatomaceous earth in the feed along with oyster shell and grit.
The henhouses get cleaned out every week with fresh straw, a sprinkling of DE in boxes and on the floor, plus Poultry spray. The pens get thoroughly cleaned out with new straw about once every 3 weeks or if we've had horrendous rains.
I'm worried about my little Barred Rock - anyone have any ideas. Oh, I should say, she was drinking and eating just fine today.
I'd appreciate any thoughts.
History - 3.5 weeks ago I got 3 - 8-12 week old Buff Orpingtons. They are in an adjacent coop and pen. Last week, I decided I needed to start gradually introducing them to each other so let them all out to free range together. There was the typical behavior of establishing hierarchy, but nothing more. The Buffs, for all purposes seem healthy. I make my own organic feed and they all get a bit of fresh breakfast in the morning - leftover greens from salad the night before, organic blueberries and maybe a bit of brown rice or whole wheat bread. I put 5% Diatomaceous earth in the feed along with oyster shell and grit.
The henhouses get cleaned out every week with fresh straw, a sprinkling of DE in boxes and on the floor, plus Poultry spray. The pens get thoroughly cleaned out with new straw about once every 3 weeks or if we've had horrendous rains.
I'm worried about my little Barred Rock - anyone have any ideas. Oh, I should say, she was drinking and eating just fine today.
I'd appreciate any thoughts.
