hotchick Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Fellow chicken lovers Two months ago I brought three baby hens (not chicks). One's a brahma, the other a pigmy type (full comb) and lastly a battery variety (comb getting there). I was told by the owner that they should start laying within a few weeks but they've not produced a bean between them. I was also told that they were ok to be fed layers pellets. Although I have been supplementing their diet with kitchen s"Ooops, word censored!"s and they free range often, they don't seem to be eating the pellets. I tried to soften the pellets with water and the first day it worked but the following day I was left with a stodgy pellet pie. The pellets are being eaten eventually but I'm not sure if they don't like them or can't ingest them. My brahma is wheezy and seems very sniffly too. Other two are unaffected. Will poultry spice sort this, will it pass, can I give her half a crushed paracetamol or will I need to take her to the vet? Can anyone offer any advice as to whether i'm doing the right thing? Shall I switch pellets or persist with what I have? When can I expect some eggs? Is there a chance they could all be barren? I feel like I am the worse chicken keeper ever as all my former girls have died either at the hands of a fox or of natural causes. I really want to ensure my trio are with me for the long haul so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Hot chick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Sounds as if they ought to be on growers pellets rather than layers if they are still very young. You describe them as baby hens. They shouldn't be on Layers pellets before 16 weeks or so, as the calcium contained in Layers is too much for hens below POL. The fact that they aren't eating much suggests that they are a) stuffing themselves with s"Ooops, word censored!"s and whatever they can find when foraging an d b) they are not yet at point of lay. I'd confine them to their run and feed them only pellets for a few days, to assess their eating habits more clearly, and to get them accustomed to the pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Hi - the wheezy hen needs to see a vet as she will probably need antibiotics. I'd separate her and bring her into the warm. Don't give her paracetamol. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Kept mine on growers until they laid and agree with Egluntyne I'd cut back on kitchen treats. Give them time some of mine have been 30 weeks before they lay and then only when they feel like it. If your brahma was just sniffly I'd try home treatments but because she is wheezing then I'd definately get some treatment from the vet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
