Chicken bald back

[Wriggler08]

Hi there,

We've just got 3 ex-barn chickens along with a secondhand eglu. I've done a lot of research but have a couple of questions. How do I tell the difference between moulting & pecking? One seems to be passing gooey poo but I can't see which one...is that serious? We've had an average of 3eggs a day so far but we've had one with no shell & one has started laying on the rooster bars?! This has been since one has started sleeping in the nesting box...is that ok? Also peps seem to give treats but mine are turning their beaks up at anything except peas & mealworms...any other tips please?

Thank you

[Olly]

Hello, and welcome to the Forum. If they're ex barn then they may take a bit of time to adjust to being pampered pet chickens, so I wouldn't worry too much about the treats or the poo. They'll develop a taste for other foods eventually, but too many treats are not good for them anyway. The runny poo could just be to do with adjusting to their new diet.

 

Do they look 'busy' and active? If so they are healthy.

 

Feather pecking tends to be in specific areas, neck or tail although it can be elsewhere, and the skin may look red - also, new quills growing through may be removed. Moulting often leaves the coop looking as if the hens have had a pillow-fight, it's usually all over the body, and you'll see new quills growing through the skin after a few days. However, hens can have a partial moult - only time will tell, really.

 

Enjoy your chickens, and while you'll get lots of helpful answers to any questions, don't forget there are also lots of FAQs to read.

[Chickabee]

I didn't give mine treats for a while. Just mash and grit. Apple cider vinegar in their water. I wouldn't worry about strange things they are doing, it's all new to them. Well done you for giving the girls a new and better life

 

My advice is keep it simple and don't worry, you can bet your bottom dollar they are really happy now

[Wriggler08]

Thank you both for the lovely replies. Yes they are very active & seem to love following me around the garden. They don't seem to mind my enthusiastic 5 yr old who thinks they are amazing. Since we've let them go free range we've actually had bigger eggs. As for the feathers.....it looks like a pillow fight! No noticeable sore patches but I will keep an eye on them. I will get some stuff to put in their water too. Thank you again!

[Redwing]

As they havent had treats up till now they wont really recognise them so dont worry - they will soon learn!

 

For now I would keep the diet simple as their tummies adjust to a different feed and not eating round the clock

 

Once things have settled down offer a few treats late in the day so they fill up with layers feed first

 

Egg production can be erratic at first often followed by a lack of eggs completely for a while but again it sorts itself out

[Wriggler08]

Thank you! That explains why they seem to be eating all day! I've got them on layers pellets & any treats I offer after 2pm but I have stopped for now to allow them to settle a bit more, plus they're ignoring them so it's a waste! I'm expecting them to stop laying soon as we've had them 3weeks now & we only expected max 2good weeks plus the weather is awful. Very fond of them ....they are so friendly & their eggs are lovely.

[Chickabee]

Don't be surprised if they carry on laying. I've had my 4 ex bats since October. They're still laying. I won't mind if they stop, but every egg is a lovely bonus

[gavclojak]

Yes I also had by ex commercial girls since June and they are still laying consistently, the plus is the eggs the minus is the shorter life expectancy.

Also I think they eat more in the first few days as when they are off to slaughter from what I understand, the farmer doesn't feed them for 24 hours before! I could be wrong but if think that's correct.

[libby22]

I have had my girl since October 2012 and she has laid every single day I was hoping she would have a nice winter break but she has better ideas

 

Initially she was terrified of everything, but now she lives for two things - lettuce and mealworms! She will eat other things, but looks at you with complete disappointment on her face if any other food stuff is presented. I try my best to ensure she gets the right balance of pellets and vitamins etc, but it is very clear that I am not the one in charge

 

Your girls sound lovely and you are doing all the right things - they have well and truly landed on their little chicken feet

[Clucky the Great]

I only got my ex barns a few days ago and they are laying well. About the farmer not feeding them...kinda true... the farmer does not want to clean out the feeder of lots of grain so doesn't want to waste food so won't fill up the feeder and will wait till the birds have eaten it. So it is a variant of 24 hours he could calculate what they are expected to eat perfectly and only have 10mins without food! Of course it depends on farmer and farm.