A new poultry keeper - and worrying about everything!

[charlielavin]

I've only had my 4 lovely chickens for 2 days and I feel like a new mum as I'm worrying about they poor things all the time.

They seem to be ruffling their feathers, scratching their headings and picking in between the feathers A LOT. I thought it was mites or something so I had a quick check (after finally catching one of them!) and couldn't see any of the tell tale signs in and around the feathers and the vent. So I am at a bit of the loss what to do. Any ideas?

I think I might be over worrying (never having kept chickens before)

Any help would be much appreciated!

Charliex

 

[Castle Farm]

If there active and alert they are fine.

Sitting around fluffed up you got sick chickens.

Just sit down and enjoy them and you will learn a lot about how they spend their days.

 

[Davidd]

Hello and welcome Have they got most of their feathers? do you know how old they are? You can buy louse powder -( make sure you get powder that is safe to go on the birds) and give them a good dusting just to eliminate them. Chickens do spend lots of time grooming their feathers- this is quite normal so you could just be a little over anxious
regards, David

 

[charlielavin]

Thanks for the replies, it's really good to have some reassurance!

I have 2 light Sussex and 2 black rocks and they around 22 weeks old. I'll give a quick dusting with the louse powder I have and then start to enjoy them a bit more! Sadly the weather has been so awful here in Cumbria, they are looking a bit bedraggled anyway. Plus it means I haven't been able to spend as much time with them as I would have liked.



Thanks again

Charlotte