I rescued these chickens can someone help what breed they are

[Pay-fy]

I was wondering if someone could tell what breed are these birds.
Thank you

 

[SilverBirds]

Those poor birds. So glad that you were able to rescue them. The hens are all RSL (Red Sex Links). I'd assume the boys are also some sort of sex link. B(black)SL possibly.

 

[Pay-fy]

Thanks for the response. Are you sure the black/blue ones are roosters? They are all very inactive don’t eat much. I’m just hoping they survive.

 

[SilverBirds]

Thanks for the response. Are you sure the black/blue ones are roosters? They are all very inactive don’t eat much. I’m just hoping they survive.

Yes, those are boys. The long thin feathers coming in around the saddle and hackle feathers are male specific, as well as the rust red coloring. The comb and wattles are also very big, indicating a male.

What are you feeding them? I would give them some sugar or electrolyte water to give them energy and combat any stress they may have experienced from moving or from their prior home.

 

[FunClucks]

Yes, the black and white ones are roosters - they have saddle feathers. Look on this site for examples of saddle feathers to help you identify. Only males have thin, long saddle feathers that hang down (curve down) the sides. After the wings and before the tail on the flanks of the chicken.

I assume you've done or will be doing a full health check. If you post pics of poop and anything you find, folks on here can help if needed. I'd be looking for lice and mites, and then evidence of worms/bad poop, and probably treat for coccidiosis / worms as needed. Good food, water, and some Nutridrench would not go amiss. I hope you're able to save them.

 

[Pay-fy]

I have layer, starter feed, scratch grains. I mixed all of them with some worm. Put multiple feeders. One of them lay an egg with soft shell. I will get more photos. Thank you.

 

[FrostRanger]

I have layer, starter feed, scratch grains. I mixed all of them with some worm. Put multiple feeders. One of them lay an egg with soft shell. I will get more photos. Thank you.

I would give them the chick starter with some oyster shell on the side. Layer feed is bad for roosters and other nonlaying birds and scratch is basically just junk food for them and is thus unneeded. Worms should also just be fed as treats and are also unneeded

 

[FunClucks]

I have layer, starter feed, scratch grains. I mixed all of them with some worm. Put multiple feeders. One of them lay an egg with soft shell. I will get more photos. Thank you.

Since they're in bad shape, I'd get them some 20% protein chick starter, Purina or Dumor or Kalmbach are good brands but there are many others that may be more readily available near you. Put a bowl of "oyster shell" (it's really calcium rocks with oyster shell mixed in but sold as "oyster shell") in the coop separately. Also put a bowl of grit in the coop. Sold as "Poultry Grit". The roosters may sample but will not eat much of the oyster shell (which is a good thing, as too much calcium can mess up a non-laying hen, chicks, or roosters).

The chickens should eat as much oyster shell as they need to get good shells back on their eggs. The 20% or thereabouts protein will help your hens regrow feathers and replenish their reserves. Hang onto the layer feed you have and once the hens are laying regularly, you can feed it to them then. Then I'd go back to the chick starter and oyster shell, or you can stay with the layer feed if you separate out the roosters - they will need to stay on chick starter. Once bag of laying feed won't hurt your roos, but I wouldn't make a habit of it, the damage from calcium accumulates over time.

Raw or cooked egg is excellent for right now to give them a nutrition and protein boost, cooked or raw meat (make sure it doesn't spoil in the coop - don't want them to get botulism) like chicken, fish, or beef, some folks feed cat food but beware the sodium levels can be high. I like to boil any freezer burned meat and give it to the girls. There are chicken probiotics you can feed them, chick starter moistened with water, raw eggs, or yogurt is always a hit. Nutridrench dribbled into their beaks might help them perk up.

If the soft shell eggs don't stop in about a month now that they have adequate food and calcium, you can start feeding a 600mg human vitamin with vit D calcium pill to each affected hen daily for about a month and see if that helps. Just pop it into their beaks and they will swallow.

Another cause of soft shell eggs can be age of the hens - they could just be older hens at the end of the laying season - they often have egg issues. Or they could be new hens having some issues starting out. Time and good nutrition usually fixes it for most hens.

Good luck with them!

 

[Pay-fy]

I got ouster shells, I will get electrolytes. Thank you all. I found someone who is going to take the roosters. I can’t have roosters. I will update on the hens.