4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Mumbles Chick]

I have recently become the proud owner of 6 beautiful chickens - but am a bit worried about one of them (my Amber Link). Over the last couple of days the feathers around her vent area have been wet and a bit dirty. There also don't seem to be many feathers there - although being a novice, I dont know if this is normal! I havent seen any of the other girls pecking her, and apart from the wetness, she seems really happy. She hasn't started laying yet: she's 19 weeks old. Any ideas or advice, please?

[Guest]

what are you feeding them?

[Mumbles Chick]

Layers Pellet (from Omlet) and a bit of corn in the afternoon. We have tried giving them a few treats, but they are not interested. We also let them out into the garden for a couple of hours a day. Only one of them seems to have a problem.

[Space Chick]

Mumbles Chick - Are you living in the Mumbles in Swansea??

 

I'm a novice too, so no advice, but at least you are bumped back up again!

[Mumbles Chick]

Hi DebsL

Yes, I live in Mumbles, Swansea - just down the road from you. Still worried about McCluckin (my son named her!). No change from yesterday. Not sure if I should try and wash her. The weather doesn't help. It's so wet and horrible! What do you think?

[Space Chick]

I've only had my girls for a month, however, they do have the occasional messy bottom, feathers seem fine though.

 

Have you tried giving them access to a dust bath? Not the best weather now, but a cat litter tray with a mix of sand and earth and they'll wash themselves in it. I don't know how but it seems to work.

 

PM me any time you want, its good to know that there is someone local! The nearest other person I've seen is Cardiff. I get jealous when I see all these meets in the North, as I'd love to meet up with people and talk chooks!

 

Hope McCluckin gets clean soon. I wouldn't worry unless she acts subdued and holds her head into her body all puffed up. Thats what they do when they are ill, as I discovered when my Martha was ill, and she passed away on Tuesday.

[Mumbles Chick]

Thanks for that. Sorry to hear about Martha. Can't believe how quickly we have become attached to our girls. Not sure our BullMastiff feels the same!

[Hen Watch]

She may just still be settling in and have the squits. Are her poops runny or normal? If she’s eating and drinking and otherwise normal, it may just pass.

 

Sometimes squits are a sign of worms, but yours are only young so may not be that. It is worth worming them regularily in the future though (I worm my lot every 3 months regardless).

 

Don’t go overboard on treats. She might just be still settling in and have an upset tummy.

Some people on here have found adding Bokashi Bran (see Omlet shop) to the feed helps firm up the squits.

 

If you are worried about her botty feathers, you could add a dust bath to the run (just dry earth is good enough) so she can clean herself. Or, if you are feeling brave, give her a bath. PS. Do not follow my example and do this indoors......... I won’t be doing that again in a hurry.

 

[Guest]

if the weather is bad it's possible they may be drinking from muddy puddles. Mine get dirty bums when they drink dirty water (stupid chickens! ) I usually give them some pro-biotic yoghurt to settle their tums. You could also try some bokashi bran.

 

As long as there's no other symptoms of illness, I'd try something like that first.

[Mumbles Chick]

Thanks everyone for your concern and advice. I feel really touched that people have taken the time and trouble to reply to my posting. I'll try out some of your suggestions. MC.