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

[Lorax]

We picked up our girls on Sunday. This is the third lot of chickens we've had and I know that sometimes, any latent illness can come out with the stress of being moved to their new home.

 

Today I noticed the bluebelle looking a bit sorry for herself, hunched and tail down. This morning she was with her beak in her wing for a bit but then seemed to perk up. She had been eating well and I *think* drinking but I had noticed she was pecking at the other's chickens' beaks and, at times, their feathers. But not in a 'peaking order' way. Very gentle.

 

I put some water down in a different container in case she was dehydrated. Am at work now and hubby not replying to texts (I have sent a few )

 

Sorry this is so vague! Any ideas?

[mullethunter]

Can't help specifically with what the pecks might mean - in haven't come across that before.

 

But, I would check her crop evening and morning to make sure it's full and firm in the evening and empty in the morning. If that's okay I would think about isolating her if you can just to make sure she's eating and drinking.

 

No other ideas I'm afraid but I'm sure someone else will

[Lorax]

Thank you for your reply. I'm afraid she just keeled over and died this morning.

[gavclojak]

Oh dear sorry to hear this. My new ex commercial girls occasionally peck at each other's beaks. They don't seem bothered by it so I just leave them to it. When they came to me I actually took three hens and unfortunately one died within a few days, for her I guess the stress was a little too much to take. It may be an idea to contact the supplier and see what his thoughts are?

[mullethunter]

Sorry to hear that Lorax. I agree with Gavclojak - I'd contact the person you got them from...

[Lewis]

Sorry to hear the update.

 

I too would give the supplier a call, the place where I get my hybrids from have a two week guarantee on the birds.

[Lorax]

Thanks all. I contacted the supplier and he replied immediately to say he'd replace her and asked what happened. It's a bit of a shock. In my first batch of chickens, the bluebelle was the first to go, too and she also just keeled over one day. But that was after we'd had her for a few years.

[PixieDust]

Really sorry to hear your update.

 

I had one who was similar and she was very poorly and had to be pts exactly a month after I got her.

 

Keep and eye on your flock just incase it is something catching.