How Quickly Does Albendazole Work?

[Samuel Morse]

I've had my two girls (Light Sussex) for 3 days and have let them have run out of the ark tonight, which they enjoyed. They are young and I was told by the poultry centre are four or so weeks from when they will start laying.

 

I've gone from worrying about cats to foxes and now lice...

 

During the run out I noticed that one had less back feathers than the other. Then I saw that four or five of the black back feathers were in the run. I've now noticed that they both seem to be lightly pecking around and under their neck and also under their wings. I haven't handled them yet so am not confident of giving them a once over. Could they just be preening themselves? How long should I monitor the pecking for?

[moochoo]

It sounds like normal preening behaviour. There will also be some pecking between them to establish the pecking order, hence the loose feathers. All perfectly fine. They'll settle in a couple of weeks.

[Samuel Morse]

Thank you for reassuring me. I'll go back to worrying about foxes now!

[Samuel Morse]

Just as an update on this, one of the chickens has now lost all the back feathers. What seems strange is that when out of the run the one who has lost the feathers seems more dominant when they have a bit of chase and tussle. I haven't been able to inspect them as they refuse to be handled yet (by that I mean they scarper if I try to pick them up) but there doesn't seem to be any sign of lice etc in their hen house. The run has a few more feathers than usual the last couple of days, including white feathers from the body. They've not started laying yet but are due too soon, not sure if that has anything to do with it?

Edited May 21, 2009 by Guest

[TOMWARDFARM]

I would go with the pecking order in the first instance then if it persists then you will need to consider some purple spray - Gentian Violet Spray I used this on my girls because they all had bare bums from pecking!

 

Now they have purple bare bums!

 

The gentian violet spray acts as an antiseptic, but also has an awful taste to it (not harmful to chickens) so when the chickens peck hopefully they decide that they want to purse other interests!

 

You need to handle your chickens as much as possible when they are young especially, this will increase your confidence and their confidence, it will make life a lot easier when checking for lice, mites or wing clipping ets. How I would suggest to do it, every evening when you put them to bed and they are sleepy and less energetic open their house and take them out, just sit them on your lap and stroke them, they will soon become used to you.

 

I had 10 hens but now 9 all of my chickens when I go near them sit and let me pick them up, they love a fuss especiall the hylines. White Stars even contrary to popular belief are tameable. They evn let my kids pick them up my eldest is 3!!

[TOMWARDFARM]

Just in addition when using the purple spray, always best to wear gloves and old clothes because it is not easy to get out/ off

 

when handling your chooks give them the once over for mites or lice, if needs be just dust them with some red mite powder

[Samuel Morse]

Thanks, I have been trying to get them to eat of my hand which they have been doing a bit, but I will try that tonight.

[chick wiggle]

excuse me for butting in but i have read this with interest cos i have 2 light sussex and a RIR which run a mile when i try to pick them up. I would like to try this tonight too but am worried it would scare them to be picked out when they have settled down for the night. It wouldnt be too stressful for them?

[TOMWARDFARM]

Honestly chickens are very resilient, I can only speak from my own eggperiences (sorry had to do it)! I have found them evern at a young age to come out calmly and sit on your lap and just stroke them, I find (I know it sounds silly) talking to them calmly helps as eventually they get used to your voice. I allways introduce new hens at night and spray them and check them in the evenings.

 

I litterally place my hands over there wings and cup their under carriage when I pick them up as it can be un nercing for new keepers when they start to flap their wings

 

Good luck

[chick wiggle]

ok, will try it with my RIR tonight, they should be popping themselves into bed very soon so shall let you know how it goes!

[Budgies]

Good luck with handling your girls, thoroughly recommend it!

 

During the day when approaching your girls, remember that they look for danger from above them, so approach low, move slowly and gently talk quietly to them all the time.

 

What with that and gently picking them out of their house at night, you'll soon have birds that are easy to handle - not only is it a wonderful experience and improves your bond with your hens but it makes health checks, dusting for lice and mites etc sooooo much easier!

[chick wiggle]

Amazing! I did it. Picked up Fifi, the flightiest, scardiest of my light sussex. She had gone to bed and i just took her out and sat her on my lap, I talked gently to her whilst stroking her for a good 4-5 mins. Hee heeee Thank you, i never thought i would be able to do that with Fifi! Gonna do the same tomorro night with one of the others.

Do you think a different bird each night or all of them the same night!

Soo happy now

 

P.S. Unfortunately my neighbours were in their garden and must have thought i had finally gone over the edge But guess what? I dont care

[TOMWARDFARM]

Fantastic, really glad it worked, in all honestly with my 1st 3 my wife made sure we got them all out on the same night because she didnt want any to feel left out!

 

it is entirely up to you, we just got into a routine to do it when the kids were in bed, hot summers night nice cool drink, you cant beat it!

[chick wiggle]

I could only do one at a time so i suppose its a suck it and see thing, but i enjoyed having a cuddle with her so much, cant wait to do it again tomorro night Thanks again.

[TOMWARDFARM]

Not a problem, we still did one at a time just all 3 on the same night.

 

It all depends how much time you have, you will see the benefits in no time at all, mine can be a pain sometimes when i let them or go into their run they just flock round you, you have to watch where you are walking.

[Budgies]

Congratulations! It's such a great experience isn't it?!

 

I so loved spending quality time with my girlies!

 

If you have the time, get them all out for a cuddle, one after the other. You can't handle them too much, and it makes so many things less stressful in the long run, because they're calmer and so are you!

 

Enjoy your lovely hens!

[chick wiggle]

Yeah, i know what you mean about watching where your walking my other 2 rangers are so friendly, allways jumping onto your lap and they just dont seem to understand that you have to put your feet down somewhere when your walking

 

I am definately getting the 3 shy/flighty ones out tomorro night Budgies in fact i cant wait, i'm quite excited about it

[Samuel Morse]

Replied earlier but my reply seems to have not uploaded...

 

Also managed to stroke one on my lap for a couple of minutes. Left the house door open and when the other one got out it made the one on my lap a bit flighty.

 

Didn't speak to them though - felt a bit silly. All I could manage was a comforting shhhhhhhhhhh.

 

Thanks for the tip. And a tip of my own: wear trousers you don't care much about.

[TOMWARDFARM]

LOL samuel, I have been caught out a few times, especially when showing my girls off to visitors and I take them inside, I just tell them its good luck lol

[cathychic]

I have had my girls for a year and the two Goldlines dont mind being picked up and Matilda especially loves a cuddle every night, but the two speckledys I dont think will ever like it. I try and pick them up as often as I can, but within 10 - 20 seconds they are squirming and squawking. Which doesnt make it easy for administering powder and checking them over - you really need two pairs of hands!

 

But I will keep perservering .... I should have tried harder when they were younger.

 

You will also find they are easier to catch once they start laying, as they will crouch every time you go near them.

 

Its lovely to have new girls, but it such a worrying time. You worry about every noise they make, whether they are eating properly, when they lose a feather, when they dont lay ... the list goes on. But it does get easier.

[Samuel Morse]

Managed, with the help of the wife, to handle both tonight. Both times the one left inside the house was panicked though as you could hear her trying to get out, which I have never heard before. Will persevere though.

[chick wiggle]

Last night I got out the 2 light sussex in turns and i was gonna get my RIR out but i have to take the back of the cube off in order to reach them and she decided it was just too good an opportunity to miss and jumped out But tonight... shes 1st

Still good plan and working....ish