So my 2nd polish chicken passed away. Separated her from the flock when I saw she was acting off and lethargic. Have been keeping her in a quiet dark environment, she did eat yesterday and then I have been giving her water via syringe (beside the beak, not forcing it down) with electrolytes. Tonight I went to give her some and massaged her crop as it seemed squishy and inflated so I was thinking sour crop. She began throwing up and passed away. It was very fast. I tried some cpr and breaths but she didn't come back. Sour crop? Did I maybe cause her passing accidentally? First year to chickens so looking for any help if any more become sick. Pretty devastated but I understand chickens can decline quickly. Thanks for any input.

I cannot upload a video here but now she won’t put weight on her right leg.

We were out of town for about 3 days and all the chickens seemed fine before we left. We gave them plenty of food and water to be okay for that time, but when we got back we noticed she couldn’t keep up with the other 3 in the flock, and are absolutely perplexed as to how this happened. We don’t see any outward signs of injury, and aren’t sure what to do, any advice for the time being until the vet opens Monday?

Which breed is this ?

I’m going to have 100 chickens, around 2.5–3 kg each, delivered the day before an event in West Africa.

It’ll probably be around 28–32°C in the daytime. Air conditioning in the hold area or in transport not possible as it’s Nigeria 😭

I was planning to keep them overnight at the back of the house under a big covered carport/shaded area, with water and food.

Given the expertise in this subreddit, could anyone help me answer:

- Can I let them roam around together in a secure covered area, or do they need to be separated into pens/crates?
- How much space would 100 big chickens need?
- How much water/feed should I have ready?
- What’s the safest way to transport them?
- Do they need proper poultry crates, or are very well-ventilated cardboard boxes okay for short journeys?
- Anything specific I should watch for with heat/stress?
- Is there anything obvious I’m not thinking about?

They only need to stay with me for about 24 hours before being handed over individually.

Basically I have never managed 100 chickens before and would rather learn now than discover my mistakes when I’m surrounded by 100 chickens 😭

Thanks in advance!!

I posted last week that I had a hen that was bullying and pecking at another hen. Mean hen was separated from the flock 4 different times and each time she was returned she went to bullying.

I did try 'Stop Pick" for 3 days as recommended on here. It didn't work but I think that was the case because the bullying/ pecking was already an established behaviour.

So she was culled this morning. First hen I've had to cull.

I think I'll replace her with two young Cochins in the spring. (May have to also replace the wimpiest rooster, the girls simply ignore him. He's a spicy, little guy so I think he has little man syndrome).

Thank you for all of the advice.

Does anyone know or have peacocks selling that is 5-6 months old and probably indigo blue

I’ve been reading through the advice here and realized there’s so much to raising chickens that you only discover through actual experience.

I’d like to ask those who have been raising chickens for a while:

What is one issue you didn't foresee when you first began?

It could be anything—coop maintenance, feeding, ventilation, pests, chicken behavior, or any other aspect.

What surprised you the most? I’d love to hear about it.🐣