Well, we've had our girls nearly 2 months now and things are not looking very good. We did not choose the pullets, but merely said we would take the 10 left. We put them in the cage and brought them home, without really looking them over. They didn't look all the same, but we just figured it was a maturity thing. They were 16 weeks old. Immediately we started seeing problems. Some could not walk very well, let alone jump onto the roost. We have tried electrolyte/vitamins in the water, administering b12 to each bird, feeding different feeds, and worming. We've talked to vets, Purina reps, consulted Ag books, looked online, and talked to any chicken folk we can find. We have a mister around the pen to help with the heat. They go out to forage at least once a day. They have shade, plus a grassy run. I try to keep everything clean. We've lost 2 so far. One fell over and couldn't walk. The other was dead in the house one morning. We have at least 2 more that look at risk. Only 2 out of the ten seem to be getting along well, with nice combs forming and robust bodies.
We do not know if it is something nutritional or something genetic. We have learned our lesson: any new chickens we get will be chicks we raise ourselves, or hand-picked birds.
The good news is, our rat terrier, Buddy, is doing really well with them. And Tipsey, our shetland who likes to stomp on things, is very tolerant now. They stroll around under her legs and she doesn't seem to mind. I have to keep one of the pullets from rushing over to eat Dapper Dan's supper in the evening (He is my avatar horse). She has figured it out pretty quickly. And Dapper Dan lets her.
Anyone have any ideas or suggestions to offer? It is really wierd and frustrating.
We do not know if it is something nutritional or something genetic. We have learned our lesson: any new chickens we get will be chicks we raise ourselves, or hand-picked birds.
The good news is, our rat terrier, Buddy, is doing really well with them. And Tipsey, our shetland who likes to stomp on things, is very tolerant now. They stroll around under her legs and she doesn't seem to mind. I have to keep one of the pullets from rushing over to eat Dapper Dan's supper in the evening (He is my avatar horse). She has figured it out pretty quickly. And Dapper Dan lets her.
Anyone have any ideas or suggestions to offer? It is really wierd and frustrating.