Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[sadietoo]

Have recently added to my flock with 20? week old orpie, and two 16? week old dark brahma chicks..in addition to my existing Light Sussex.... Noticed this w/e in cleaning out the poo...someone is doing a poo with what can only be described as "red" bits in it...if it's blood it isn't huge amounts..just a few blobs... I have decided as a precautionary measure to flubenvet the lot...everyone seems very hale and hearty and they are eating and drinking well...free ranging with interest etc...does anyone have any ideas?

 

Second question...I had my Sussex Light on Layers Mash (which she loved) all of them are now on growers pellets (so eggs from her are smaller and less frequent) not a problem per se but could I have some reassurance that this is not going to cause her any long term problems., (in as much as she is still trying to produce eggs without really having the right nutrients?)..would it be the end of the world if I alternated days of growers and layers for everyone?

 

As ever your advice welcomed!

[Plum]

The red bits could be bits of gut they shed at about that age so if she is well otherwise and its not big amounts or clots of blood I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I've kept all on growers until they are laying and put the older ones on it too. Like you I worried a bit about the lower calcium levels so I gave my older ones the odd dish of wet layers mash when seperated. I don't believe it will do them any harm and if moulting at this time of year will give extra protien. Just check its not medicated growers feed or you can't eat the eggs

[sadietoo]

The red bits could be bits of gut they shed at about that age so if she is well otherwise and its not big amounts or clots of blood I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I've kept all on growers until they are laying and put the older ones on it too. Like you I worried a bit about the lower calcium levels so I gave my older ones the odd dish of wet layers mash when seperated. I don't believe it will do them any harm and if moulting at this time of year will give extra protien. Just check its not medicated growers feed or you can't eat the eggs

 

Thanks Plum...they do look like bits of gut really....couldn't think of a description that fitted..that's what made me think of worms..and didn't think to check for medication..I don't think it is but I'll look tomorrow...we've already eaten all the eggs to date though so if it is well at least we won't get any nasty chicken diseases!!

 

Edited to add...my husband thinks he is growing a comb!!!

[Plum]

soon he'll go ....bok bok bok