stephent Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 Hi, Shell hasn't laid for about a week now and we've just noticed that she was lifting her foot whilst eating (not off her food) that she has a bit of fresh blood on her food around one of her feathers which seemed to have been pecked. She was walking fine, so I bathed her foot in salt water. It cleaned up well and wasn't bleeding after but I was wondering what this could be due to? Could it be a broken scale, pecked feathers, cold weather etc? Just to let you know her tail seems a little hen pecked also. Does any one have any info on how to prepare the chickens for winter? Any advice would help, thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 One of our ex batts caught one of her toes and was bleeding badly from it a few months ago. I'm not sure what could have caused your girl to hurt herself but if it's still got dried blood on it I would advise spraying a bit of purple spray on it so that your other girls don't peck at her foot. I think it's also got antiseptic qualities too. This is our first Winter with out girls and we have just made sure they have plenty of bedding in their nest and also under the perches to keep them warm at night. We also give them porridge, mashed potato and mixed corn to keep them warm and make sure their water is changed if it freezes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Are the scales lifting on her legs/feet? Could be 'scaley leg' which is quite nasty, and raises the scales off the leg as a parasite sets up home. DON'T PICK THE SCALES OFF!!!!!! You have to dip them in surgical spirit to suffocate the mite - or smear with vaseline. We've bought our 4 girls in. Even in an Omlet house (read once ok to -6C?) so now in wooden pen in downstairs loo. Smear vaseline on their combs and wattles to stop frostbite, but above all observe that they are 'hunting' and not just standing still huddled for warmth. Good luck Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Does any one have any info on how to prepare the chickens for winter? Some advice **here** - from the FAQ section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephent Posted December 20, 2010 Author Share Posted December 20, 2010 Thanx guys, your all very kind to have replied. Fab hints and tips which I shall try out. If its scaly leg will it heal on its own if I smother in Vaseline? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
