jellykelly Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Hiya all. I have been reading your forum since I brought my three lovely hens home on tuesday. My three girls are 10 months old and have so far settled in very well. We had our first egg this morning - which I promptly poached and had on toast (much to the disgust of my kids that all wanted a bit!) I am hoping that I can rely on the advice of the experienced keepers as I may need a few pointers - I worry that I'm doing something wrong. Feedwise - I have a mix of pellets and corn available all day but will also throw down mealworms, fruit, veg, seeds and nuts at varying tmes of the day. How much does a chicken need to eat? I ask because mine will just eat and eat and eat! Healthwise, the chickens look plump, clean and have nice feathers (don't think they would have had a moult yet) - but two appear to be sneezing. Could this be a serious problem or nothing to worry about? Thanks in advance - I hope to be on here a lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Hi, Welcome to the Forum and congratulations on your girls. Corn should only be given as a treat, so I would only have layers pellets and water available for most of the day, and give them corn as a treat in the late afternoon - the same goes for other treats. As for sneezing, can you listen to the chest, if its wheezing thats cause to worry, otherwise it could be an allergy. I have a sneezy hen You can put a few drops of citrocidal in their water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Welcome to the forum from me too. I would echo the advice given by Space Chick. Two of my girls seem to be a bit sneezy. To start off with, one of them had a bit of a snotty nose too. I was going to take them to the vets but tried citricidal and that seemed to work. If they are eating well and drinking too I wouldn't worry too much. I am sure that if someone more experienced disagrees with me, they will be along soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fur 'n' Feathers Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Hello & welcome!! You'll find plenty of friendly advice & support here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Welcome from me too (Just noticed the little Bee and Beehaus smilies ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Welcome to the forum Jellykelly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted August 22, 2009 Author Share Posted August 22, 2009 Thanks for the welcome guys. I'm sure I will spending a lot of time on here - posting questions as and when they pop into my head! Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Hi Jellykelly and welcome to the forum . Just wanted to agree with space chick about the corn and treats, keep that for late afternoon because they really need to fill up on the layers pellets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Welcome welcome welcome Go to the omlet shop and purchase a bottle of citricidal for their sneezing its totally safe and you only need two drops per litre of water, it clears up a cold if they have one They sound fine nothing to worry about xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted August 23, 2009 Author Share Posted August 23, 2009 Thanks guys. I actually purchased the citricidal yesterday after catching a chicken sneezing and blowing rather odd snot bubbles. They seem fine otherwise. They all have bright combs and are eating and wandering about happily. I have just arranged for my neighbour to come and chicken-sit next week as we're going away for three days. However, he is a young 17 year old lad and I'm going to worry that he won't be as concerned as me about getting the chickens locked up safely at night or let out early. I myself know that as a 17 year old, I would not have got out of bed much before lunch time. I may have to wander over to the chicken sitters thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 If your girls are in an eglu & run, you can easily leave the eglu door open 24/7 . Some folks do that all year round! I would just weigh the run skirt down with slabs or planks or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanTheDiver Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Hi there, I am a newbie too (actually not getting chickens until 31st Aug), all this is really helpful to me too! Especially the comment above as this is a question I was going to post about my cube, as we sometimes go away overnight and wanted to know if it was safe to leave the door open overnight. Finding everyone friendly and helpful, great forum - I am addicted already!! Can't wait for my chooks! Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted August 23, 2009 Author Share Posted August 23, 2009 No, I don't have an Eglu - I'd never ever heard of one until I found thi site (by which time the chickens were housed). They're in a wooden house which will need unlocking and locking up up again. I think I may just have to bite the bullet and put my faith in the neighbour. They can't all be like I was at 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 just wanted to say helloooo *waves* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
