KateC Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 One of my 20 week old neras is troubling me. A few times come os of the cube in the morning looking as though she is ill. She opens and shuts her beak and scratches her head. As I am new to chicken keeping I am immediately panicked and think she is at death's door. Call husband who tells me to be calm and wait. After a few hours she seems to buck up and I think what was I worrying about. She has done the same this morning. I let them out an hour ago and she hasn't eaten or drunk. Will check her in about half an hour. All the girls sleep in the nest box at night. I am using straw and aubiose. Could she be allergic to something which improves when she is out of the cube? Didn't think keeping chickens would be so worrying! Not sure I made the right choice yet!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 It is a bit like having newborn babies, isn't it . How about trying something different in the nestbox, like Easibed or Hemcore or even shredded paper? That should indicate pretty quickly if it's the bedding that's bothering her. Don't worry, it does get easier and you'll be able to relax and enjoy them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateC Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Thank you for the advice. I cleaned out the cube today and just put some aubiose in. Because I had put both this and straw in I am not sure which could be the culprit so I shall try this on its own for a few days and see what happens. Needless to say Gloria bucked up after an hour or so out of the nest box so I think I may be right in the allergy theory. I love the girls already and they all have their own personalities. Doris (the black tail) is definitely the nosey and bossy one, she is the only one who is laying. Penny (the Goldline) is much calmer and seems a gentle chicken. Layla (one of the Neras) is forward and sweet and Gloria (the all black nera) is the quietest of the lot. I am now thinking of ways to enrich their run. I have a 4 metre cube run and a 2m x 2m Omlet WIR. I have made them a dust bath and want to put perches in next. They won't be able to free range as we have two very interested large dogs who would chase them and I can't risk losing one of the girls. Our black lab comes from gun dog stock and has often caught rabbits, pheasants and partridges. She genuinely is thrilled when she has caught them for us and can't understand why we don't share her excitement. I would be heartbroken if one of the girls met her end in this way. Anyhow, onwards and upwards, I shall get more confident in chicken keeping!! I hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
