Rich & Ange Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 If anyone could provide some thoughts on the following it would be much appreciated, as we are a little unsure of the best way forward... In the next couple of days we want to give our new chooks their first proper inspection and tidy up; a few of them have slightly dirty botties (we guess due to the stress of the move), one has slightly raised scales on her legs, and we want to give all of them a check for lice and a thorough dusting with diatom powder. The question is, what is the best time and way to do this? When we visited FeeMcg she advised she tends to do this type of thing at night, so she is working on sleepy hens that don't mind being handled too much. This would be great, but will they remain sleep and docile?! The last thing we want to do in the middle of the night is end up with the girls being het up and noisy, just in case it bothers the neighbours. But then again, if we do it during the day will they protest a lot and get stressed (seing as we haven't handled them much yet?). Any thoughts would be much appreciated, it would be nice if we can get over this little hurdle without it being too traumatic for us or our girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 (edited) Hi, Not sure I would do this intro in the middle of the night but what about an hour after they have gone into roost? Do you have an eglu? If so open the nest box door quietly and give them a little stroke down their backs. My chooks are new and I have had to administer antibiotics and I find an hour after they have gone in to roost the best time. Select hen, stroke gently and FIRMLY pick up with both hands securely around the hen mid area making sure the wings are held firmly. Pick hen up and tuck her straight to your mid body transferring hands to one under belly and one on the back - or tuck her under your arm till she settles with a hand underneath. Make sure you have a firm -ish grip till she sits happily. I found that at first mine were much happier with this being done close to the ground i.e. in a crouch position as they also like to rest their feet on a leg. To look at chooks bottoms just have them in the side on hold once secure and tilt to see bottom. Hope this helps? PS: As an add on I've just realised your hens are very new - I recognise the Rosy Buff Orp and the splendid run sig now! I would leave things at least 6 days before I did a full inspection due to settling in stress (prob why they have dirty bottoms)? Maybe check the scaley legged chook though. Edited March 18, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 I've always done hen maintenance during the day. It is much easier if one holds and the other does whatever is necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich & Ange Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 Hi, Not sure I would do this intro in the middle of the night but what about an hour after they have gone into roost? Do you have an eglu? If so open the nest box door quietly and give them a little stroke down their backs. My chooks are new and I have had to administer antibiotics and I find an hour after they have gone in to roost the best time. Select hen, stroke gently and FIRMLY pick up with both hands securely around the hen mid area making sure the wings are held firmly. Pick hen up and tuck her straight to your mid body transferring hands to one under belly and one on the back - or tuck her under your arm till she settles with a hand underneath. Make sure you have a firm -ish grip till she sits happily. I found that at first mine were much happier with this being done close to the ground i.e. in a crouch position as they also like to rest their feet on a leg. To look at chooks bottoms just have them in the side on hold once secure and tilt to see bottom. Hope this helps? PS: As an add on I've just realised your hens are very new - I recognise the Rosy Buff Orp and the splendid run sig now! I would leave things at least 6 days before I did a full inspection due to settling in stress (prob why they have dirty bottoms)? Maybe check the scaley legged chook though. Very helpful indeed, thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 You could start by stroking and touching the chooks while they're in the cube, and even lift one out if she's not too freaked out. Also, once they start coming up to you for treats is a good time to catch one. Are none of them laying yet? - they look as if they should be (apart from Anna), in which case they should squat when approached, and can be picked up then. When I'm dusting the chooks with Diatom I wait till they've gone to bed, then get OH to lift them out, then I dust round vent, under wings and neck area - it is really a 2 man job. As for Helena, and her 'gnarly' legs - as I said before I think she's considerably older and if she does have scaley leg mite to the extent her legs look like this, I think you should take her back - ask exactly how old she is (and the other hens) and see if they have another, point of lay Black Orp. Sorry, I know that sounds a bit harsh, and you don't want to upset your daughter, but I wouldn't want you to be 'had' either - remember I told you about when I got 2 of my hybrids, and got them home, and they were skinny and filthy, had myco etc. and turned out they were probably in their 2nd laying year - I should have taken them back but didn't have the heart to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich & Ange Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 Thanks Fee. Not one of them is crouching in any way at all! We thought they should be, but they all walk off when we go anywhere near them! We had thought of taking Helena back, but we will see how it goes. She is very lovely looking and huge! We will try to get a look at her leg later in the week and see what it looks like then. We also don't really want to have any problems with introducing a new hen so soon, as they are all getting on okay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...