BuryFCA1 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Still getting to grips so any help appreciated. 1. One hen keeps trying to nip and pick at the feathers in another hen's tail. Is this bullying or just helping groom the other hen? 2. How much should they be fed? When I come home from work and they see me they are very noisy so I dont know if they are glad to see me or hungry? 3. They are isa browns but have not started laying yet even though the farmer we got them from said they had been laying for him and they are about 19 weeks old. Has the farmer conned us and sold us old hens? 4. Is ant powder acceptable as a replacement for red mite powder? 5. How much and how often should cider vinegar be put in their water? Thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Still getting to grips so any help appreciated. 1. One hen keeps trying to nip and pick at the feathers in another hen's tail. Is this bullying or just helping groom the other hen? It's a form of bullying, but it's fairly normal - they will probably settle down when they've worked out the pecking order. You may get persistent feather-pecking, but I would wait and see before worrying about that. 2. How much should they be fed? When I come home from work and they see me they are very noisy so I dont know if they are glad to see me or hungry? Keep the feeder topped up at all times, and they will help themselves. They need to feed throughout the day. Are you possibly giving them treats when you come home? If so, then they're just shouting because they've come to expect it! 3. They are isa browns but have not started laying yet even though the farmer we got them from said they had been laying for him and they are about 19 weeks old. Has the farmer conned us and sold us old hens? Unless they were the only hens he had, I doubt if he could tell exactly which ones were laying. 19 weeks is quite early, and the exact age is usually a term of art. Do they have big red combs? Are they crouching when you approach them? It's most likely that they are POL (Point of Lay) but just not quite ready. 4. Is ant powder acceptable as a replacement for red mite powder? Generally speaking, no. Diatomaceous earth is one form of red-mite preventative, and some ant powders will work on the same basis (Killgerid is one, which says it is also effective against red mite) in that they are made of tiny particles which destroy the insects. While these are preventatives, they will not treat red mite if you actually get an infestation. See the Red Mite thread in FAQs for more info about the various products. 5. How much and how often should cider vinegar be put in their water? I never use it, so can't answer that one! Thanks for any help. It will all become clearer as time goes on, lots of information on here but please come back and post if you have more questions. We were all new to chickens once upon a time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Still getting to grips so any help appreciated. 2. How much should they be fed? When I come home from work and they see me they are very noisy so I dont know if they are glad to see me or hungry? Of course they are happy to see you and probably think you have treats. If you leave a feeder full of pellets or mash they'll take what they need. Not necessary to measure it. 3. They are isa browns but have not started laying yet even though the farmer we got them from said they had been laying for him and they are about 19 weeks old. Has the farmer conned us and sold us old hens? probably not, it's a bit young he may have had some more mature in with them. You can tell age by development of headgear. If you look at their outer wing feather tips they are pointy when in first year 4. Is ant powder acceptable as a replacement for red mite powder? Don't know 5. How much and how often should cider vinegar be put in their water? Don't know, I give it alternating with plain water and a dollop. about 15ml to 3L Thanks for any help. Hope that helps a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dance in the dark Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I think all the other questions have been answered as best they could be. Most chickens are very social, and so my 11 always come running over to see me, when I am there (And although I don't have them, I understand that ISA browns are very friendly) As for apple cider vinegar, it is really personal preference. It is not an absolute necessity, it's just good for general health and condition, and supposedly helps deter internal parasites. I put a small splash in their glugs every day for a week, about once a month, but I am not completely regimented about it. Some people put it in just occasionally, or just if some of their hens look under the weather. Some people always put cider vinegar in, but I don't think it's really neccesary. tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 any powder is very good as a red mite powder and many people use it as a cheaper alternative Be sure to keep it away from cats as most contain permetherin I believe which is toxic to cats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monty14 Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 1.One hen keeps trying to nip and pick at the feathers in another hen's tail. Is this bullying or just helping groom the other hen? Probably settling in and sorting the pecking order - you can get anti-peck spray if you're concerned. A grooming peck is usually quite gentle. 2. How much should they be fed? When I come home from work and they see me they are very noisy so I dont know if they are glad to see me or hungry? Always keep the feeder well topped up so they can help themselves (as well as water!). Mine always run to the patio doors when they see me so it may well be they are pleased to see you just like any other pet, although they might be expecting a treat. 3. They are isa browns but have not started laying yet even though the farmer we got them from said they had been laying for him and they are about 19 weeks old. Has the farmer conned us and sold us old hens? Most hens start laying around 22-24 weeks, there is no way the farmer would know which hen is laying unless he watched them all day! My ISA Brown lays pretty much 6 days out of 7. Sometimes the 'stress' of moving to a new environment can put them off laying for a short period. I have a year old Araucana that still hasn't laid an egg! 4. Is ant powder acceptable as a replacement for red mite powder? No - use diatom for regular dusting to prevent parasites and a proper red mite disinfectant or killer spray. To be honest I dust regularly with diatom (doesn't harm the hens) and have never had a mite infestation. 5. How much and how often should cider vinegar be put in their water? I add about 2.5 ml per 3 litres of water if they seem under the weather (e.g. sneezing), otherwise just plain water. BTW, it's handy to have a little chicken 'box of stuff' - mine has diatom, red mite disinfectant, flubenvet wormer, scaly leg spray and cider vinegar (Aspalls pure cyder vinegar is a good one). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 one other thing though - welcome to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
