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Chickens
- Thread starter mitch
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wmrcomputers
Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
If you share you're problem I might be able to offer some advice - I've kept 50 chooks at a time so I've ran into a few of the health issue's along the way. I'm not claiming to know everything but if there's something I can help with I gladly will.
mitch
Well-Known Forumite
Cheers Wmrc,
I've got 4 ex batts and have had them for about a year now (so that would make them about 3), all are now fully clothed apart from a little malting on one or two of them, there is no red mite on any of them or in the coop.
The leader of the pack has developed a bald patch around her vent and she looks a little swollen, she's regular as clockwork with her eggs so there's no problem there, she doesnt seem distressed in any way and happily keeps the rank and file in order on a daily basis. The only thing different in her behaviour to the others is that she's always the last one out of the coop each morning. I may just be over cautious but, well, you know the score.
There's been the odd runny dump but nothing to write home about.
Cheers
I've got 4 ex batts and have had them for about a year now (so that would make them about 3), all are now fully clothed apart from a little malting on one or two of them, there is no red mite on any of them or in the coop.
The leader of the pack has developed a bald patch around her vent and she looks a little swollen, she's regular as clockwork with her eggs so there's no problem there, she doesnt seem distressed in any way and happily keeps the rank and file in order on a daily basis. The only thing different in her behaviour to the others is that she's always the last one out of the coop each morning. I may just be over cautious but, well, you know the score.
There's been the odd runny dump but nothing to write home about.
Cheers
wmrcomputers
Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
Right, before an expemsive vets trip I would look out for vent pecking!
Basically one of your others might be attacking her vent area with it's beak. There are some potions you can put on the area that the others would not like to taste if this is the case. Look out for anyone who might be trying to "bully her" to get up the rankings. You may not see it going on as it's usually a night-time thing. However if you see one having a go at her during the daylight hours, try seperating it from the flock for a few days to a week and see if this helps the condition.
In rare cases they can literally rip out anothers insides and cause them to die (although I've not seen a case quite so bad).
I'm not saying it's definitely this, but it sounds likely especially with her not wanting to come outside in a hurry in the morning!!
It's quite a common occurance, but obviously you don't want it to go too far!
Failing that, is she perching anywhere with a slightly rougher / sharper corner to it than the others? Could just be a bit of "belly rub" as I call it. If you're using something along the lines of 2x4 for perches try replacing it with wooden broom handles (about a quid each from wilko's)
ABOVE ALL, if she is happy and laying well I wouldn't think it's cause enough for concern to bother wasting your money at the vets with it. Remember these girls had rough innings at battery farms, and some had to fight for their feed. It can become habit to some. Keep them closed away from the others (seperate pen in same area) so that they can see but not have any contact - a week in confinement like this usually does the trick
Hope some of this info helps
Basically one of your others might be attacking her vent area with it's beak. There are some potions you can put on the area that the others would not like to taste if this is the case. Look out for anyone who might be trying to "bully her" to get up the rankings. You may not see it going on as it's usually a night-time thing. However if you see one having a go at her during the daylight hours, try seperating it from the flock for a few days to a week and see if this helps the condition.
In rare cases they can literally rip out anothers insides and cause them to die (although I've not seen a case quite so bad).
I'm not saying it's definitely this, but it sounds likely especially with her not wanting to come outside in a hurry in the morning!!
It's quite a common occurance, but obviously you don't want it to go too far!
Failing that, is she perching anywhere with a slightly rougher / sharper corner to it than the others? Could just be a bit of "belly rub" as I call it. If you're using something along the lines of 2x4 for perches try replacing it with wooden broom handles (about a quid each from wilko's)
ABOVE ALL, if she is happy and laying well I wouldn't think it's cause enough for concern to bother wasting your money at the vets with it. Remember these girls had rough innings at battery farms, and some had to fight for their feed. It can become habit to some. Keep them closed away from the others (seperate pen in same area) so that they can see but not have any contact - a week in confinement like this usually does the trick
Hope some of this info helps
mitch
Well-Known Forumite
The coop I purchased (from ebay) was described as a 6 berth so I bought it because I thought it would be ideal for the four of them, in reality I would be far more comfortable if there was only two of them in there as the kipping space is somewhat restricted and baldy bum perches on the divider of the nest boxes with her backside in the straw so this may have something to do with it, in addition to this the perches are only raised off of the floor by about an inch which IMO isn't nearly high enough (my neighbours home built coop's perches are a good 10 inch's from the floor. I will be constructing a purpose built des res in the summer and e-baying my coop. So in a very long winded way it's almost imposible to seperate them at the moment.
I'm not over concerned TBH but will obviously monitor the situation and guess what! she was first out the door and into the corn this morning, she'd also left me a lovely large warm egg so thing's aint that bad.
I assume that your registered with DEFRA then with such an impresive flock? Have you got a mixed bag or have you gone for the same breed?
I'm not over concerned TBH but will obviously monitor the situation and guess what! she was first out the door and into the corn this morning, she'd also left me a lovely large warm egg so thing's aint that bad.
I assume that your registered with DEFRA then with such an impresive flock? Have you got a mixed bag or have you gone for the same breed?
wmrcomputers
Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
I was registered with DEFRA at the time, but I de-registered when I started keeping doves as my main hobby - I now only have 5 chooks for our own egg supply.
I've had mainly Warrens (egg machines) as they were the cheapest to purchase and the best layers. They're also quiet and friendly natured. I've also kept blackrocks, red stars, white stars, blacktails, bovans to mention a few. If you want something different go for white stars... they're quite skitish but very entertaining to watch and lay GORGEOUS pure white shelled eggs.
Good luck with your hobby - they're very rewarding pets to keep!
I've had mainly Warrens (egg machines) as they were the cheapest to purchase and the best layers. They're also quiet and friendly natured. I've also kept blackrocks, red stars, white stars, blacktails, bovans to mention a few. If you want something different go for white stars... they're quite skitish but very entertaining to watch and lay GORGEOUS pure white shelled eggs.
Good luck with your hobby - they're very rewarding pets to keep!