Unsecure chicken perches

[cantata007]

Well I am another newbie, and I have a few questions answered simply without trawling the web until my eyes fall out.

 

I bought my 3 hens, a Maran (Monica) and 2 rhode island red crosses (pheobe & Margo) on tuesday from the local free range chicken lady in the Mendips. They were plucked rather randomly from her field of 1000!

 

So far the Maran is doing very well, I have had an egg a day from her. One of the RIR's has laid one egg. the other has laid non. I am aware they need to settle before they start laying, so i am chuffed to have any eggs this week at all.

 

The one that hasn't laid, has a rather pale and dry comb compared to the other two. but seems bright enough allthough she is a bit dirty around her vent.

 

I have them on layers pellets and grass, so fairly similar to there previous diet although the grass is richer.

 

Questions:

 

1) Do I feed grit if they are on a layers pellet?

2) what would you advise I treat them for/with parasite wise as they have come from a rather unkept flock?

3) I have read cider vinigar is a good tonic, but have also seen this "spice" stuff at the agri merchants. what would be best as a pick me up for old "pale comb?"

4) Can my friendly bunnies share there electric fence pen occasionally?

[Guest]

I can answer the grit and layers pellet question.

 

 

Layers pellets are to help with laying so keep feeding them and the grit/oyster shells are to keep the egg shells strong so you need to feed them this as well.

 

Congrats.

[Egluntyne]

Questions:

 

1) Do I feed grit if they are on a layers pellet?

The layers pellets contain soluble calcium, usually in the form if crushed seashells. That is sufficient if the don't free range. However, if the do free range, they will need plain grit to grind up the foliage and beasties that they fins when rootling about. They will pick up odd bits of grit, and some henkeepers feel that this is enough. I always leave a pot of mixed poultry grit or plain flint grit out ( I alternate) so that they can help themselves when they feel the need.

 

2) what would you advise I treat them for/with parasite wise as they have come from a rather unkept flock?

 

I would worm them with Flubenvet and apply a preventative such as Barrier Louse powder for external parasites. If you are certain that they do have lice or mites, I would recommend an ivermectin product. Eprinex is the best, but is not licensed for use on poultry in UK and is prescription only, so you would have to speak to your vet about that.

 

3) I have read cider vinigar is a good tonic, but have also seen this "spice" stuff at the agri merchants. what would be best as a pick me up for old "pale comb?"

I add rough apple cider vinegar to the drinking water on alternate weeks anyway. It is useful for keeping the gut healthy. Poultry Spice is a good 'pick me up', so I'd get both. I'd hazzard a guess that 'pale comb' would benefit from worming.

 

4) Can my friendly bunnies share there electric fence pen occasionally?

 

I wouldn't recommend it. The rabbits can give the hens a nasty kick, and the hens can give the rabbits a good pecking.

[cantata007]

Thanks for that info egluntyne.

 

Well yesterday I deloused the Ladies with Barrier louse powder, As found two varieties of beasties in their feathers, one long ,thin and grey. The other small and rust coloured.

 

I have sprayed the inside of the coup as well with red mite spray. The only wormer I could get yesterday was Verm X. I am double dosing them for 3 days. However, as it is obviuos at least one of them has a heavy worm burden, should I get something chemical? I have been advised that Xeno 200 is good and easy to apply although I understand that it is for use "off label" in chucks.

 

As for the one with the pale comb. Well she is eating well, and fairly bright although she did go a bit depressed yesterday afternoon after the delousing! This morning however, she has a dirty bottom and not nice poos (brown with red in) worried about fly strike now. Should I clean her bum, may be with a baby wipe? oh these brids are getting poilt already aren't they?!!!

[Egluntyne]

Xeno 200 isn't much cop for internal parasites. I would use Flubenvet, which is available online, and there is no egg withdrawal with this product.