Babysitting two hens for my neighbor, help?

[Gratefulpickles]

That cage is kind of short and small. I would give them so cooked egg and yogurt if you have any. Make sure they have clean water.

Cooked egg?!? Isn't that barbaric? He said something like that but I thought he was goofy. Cage seems small to me. I might let them run around in the living room after we get up tomorrow and I can put my cat outside or in my bedroom for a little while. I wonder if that's ok for them or more anxiety inducing? Yes I have yogurt. Should I wake them up or wait til morning?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you, no feed just corn cooked n rice uncooked

Do you live in the U.S.?

If corn and rice is all you have. Cook the rice too. Add some scrambled egg to help with protein.

It's unfortunate the neighbor was not prepared to give you the feed necessary to take care of the birds are adequate instructions for their care.

 

[CCsGarden]

Cooked egg?!? Isn't that barbaric? He said something like that but I thought he was goofy.

They can have cooked egg. It will not hurt them.

Cage seems small to me. I might let them run around in the living room after we get up tomorrow and I can put my cat outside or in my bedroom for a little while. I wonder if that's ok for them or more anxiety inducing?

Yes, I let mine run around the kitchen and living room that will be great if you let them out .

Yes I have yogurt. Should I wake them up or wait til morning?

Do they have a crop? If not then give them some. Or just wait till morning.

 

[Gratefulpickles]

Thank you for responding, I'm going to get them a nice towel to lay on it will wake them I suppose. I just don't want to stress them out.

 

[CCsGarden]

Thank you for responding, I'm going to get them a nice towel to lay on it will wake them I suppose. I just don't want to stress them out.

Yes!!!! Do it! They will love it!

 

[CCsGarden]

It is 7pm Wednesday night in Portland Oregon the weather is at about 41°.

Do you live in the U.S.?

 

[Gratefulpickles]

Do you live in the U.S.?

If corn and rice is all you have. Cook the rice too. Add some scrambled egg to help with protein.

It's unfortunate the neighbor was not prepared to give you the feed necessary to take care of the birds are adequate instructions for their care.

Yes I'm in Portland Oregon. I agree about them not having what's best for them I offered to build or buy a coop after the other one burned down(everyone survived, they watched from a distance) due to a heat lamp, but he hasn't bothered; that's why I suggested bringing them to my home. Warmer, safer. I will go to the feed store in the morning and get them feed, but I just read that changing their food could upset them as well. My neighbor is a good guy he s rough around the edges. I don't tolerate animal cruelty, it is my fear that negligence could distress them in my watch. That's why I joined

 

[CCsGarden]

Yes I'm in Portland Oregon. I agree about them not having what's best for them I offered to build or buy a coop after the other one burned down(everyone survived, they watched from a distance) due to a heat lamp, but he hasn't bothered; that's why I suggested bringing them to my home. Warmer, safer. I will go to the feed store in the morning and get them feed, but I just read that changing their food could upset them as well. My neighbor is a good guy he s rough around the edges. I don't tolerate animal cruelty, it is my fear that negligence could distress them in my watch. That's why I joined

They should like the feed. They might even know it has the good stuff in it.

I can't take animal cruelty either. And he may not know what's best for them or what he is doing wrong.
Let me know how everything goes in the morning. Sorry to hear he's coop burned down. Hopefully you can help him take better care of his animals.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

hen what about breakfast? Do they like garbanzo beans?

Thank you, no feed just corn cooked n rice uncooked

I will go to the feed store in the morning and get them feed, but I just read that changing their food could upset them as well. My neighbor is a good guy he s rough around the edges. I don't tolerate animal cruelty, it is my fear that negligence could distress them in my watch. That's why I joined

I would say that corn and rice may be all that he has to offer for the moment. It's not the worst things, but long term it's not the best either.

As for Garbonzo beans, yes, those can be given too. I would cook them or if they are canned, rinse well to remove any excess salt. Smoosh them up a bit.

Changing up feed can upset the digestive system, you are correct, so you may want to provide what the owner gave you and slowly add in some poultry feed if that's what you wish to do. But egg is easy to give, it's good for them, has protein and after all, baby chicks subsist on egg for the first 3 days of their life.

Just be sure to cook the rice and beans. While chickens could eat uncooked rice, they do need a source of grit (Crushed Granite) in order to process something like uncooked rice. Beans, certain ones can be fed "raw" or "dry" but it's usually better to provide them cooked to avoid any issues.

Hope this helps.

Do you live in the U.S.?

If corn and rice is all you have. Cook the rice too. Add some scrambled egg to help with protein.

It's unfortunate the neighbor was not prepared to give you the feed necessary to take care of the birds are adequate instructions for their care.

 

[Gratefulpickles]

That is not the greatest for them....it will make them fat.

I would say that corn and rice may be all that he has to offer for the moment. It's not the worst things, but long term it's not the best either.

As for Garbonzo beans, yes, those can be given too. I would cook them or if they are canned, rinse well to remove any excess salt. Smoosh them up a bit.

Changing up feed can upset the digestive system, you are correct, so you may want to provide what the owner gave you and slowly add in some poultry feed if that's what you wish to do. But egg is easy to give, it's good for them, has protein and after all, baby chicks subsist on egg for the first 3 days of their life.

Just be sure to cook the rice and beans. While chickens could eat uncooked rice, they do need a source of grit (Crushed Granite) in order to process something like uncooked rice. Beans, certain ones can be fed "raw" or "dry" but it's usually better to provide them cooked to avoid any issues.

Hope this helps.

Yes thank you. What about baby tomatoes and cut up apple slices? I'm sorry to bother y'all and google is great but it confuses me with a rancher or something. They are so cute. Just sitting looking around.