Well, we're off to the vets again...

[Shirls]

When the vet saw the chooks last week she said she wanted to see them in a weeks time (couldn't get an appointment in a week so it's been 10 days) so we're off for a check up tomorrow. I am so glad, cos I am sure they aren't very well. I keep hearing them cough, but I don't think the hot weather helps at all. Bea, who had the really bad chest infection sleeps a lot and you can hear her breath, quite crackly at times. Fortunately it's an early morning appointment so it won't be too hot for them. They all go in one box!! Here's a pic of one of the 'nap' times:

[skysmum]

Awww they are such beautiful lady's, i so hope all goes well, you have had such a worry with them .

You know, i always fancied chooks but reading what you have been through has put me off a bit , think i will stick to buds.
Good luck tom.

[jellybean]

Good luck tomorrow shirls. You've had a terrible time with your poor chooks. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[BudgiesBuddy]

I hope all goes well.

[Hezz]

Good luck Shirls, Bea, Poppy and Georgia.

[stace]

Oh my. Groundhog day. Such a kerfuffle with these poor chooks, shirls.

[samwiseg]

Best of luck, let us know how you get on xx

[birdguhl]

So sorry you're having such a hard time with the chooks, Shirls. You're being great with them. My sister-in-law (who grew up on a farm) has a much more 'economic' attitude to hers.

[Shirls]

Thanks everyone for your support. Vet visit went quite well: they have all put on weight and they have no chest infections, just residual coughs which will disappear in time. I asked if they had mycoplasma and the vet said probably. This is something they carry for life, and if I got other healthy birds they would catch it from my original girlies. Vet said they are way under-weight for their age too. So it looks like I have a 'poorly' bunch but they will have a good life and they seem happy and reasonably healthy. Anyway, we have another visit in a weeks time to check their weight again. The vet is soooo good and doesn't charge me for these visits. So girlies are in for lots of treats (corn) to fatten them up. Seems I must have gone to one of the worst breeders EVER and I definitely won't be visiting her again!! I am also giving them ACV in their drinking water, plus a dry tonic for chickens. Will be changing to a wet tonic to put in their water as with the dry tonic I don't know how much each chicken is getting or even if they are all getting some. Vet said give it to them in a little food in individual bowls! CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS??? They are much like budgies!! and would be swapping bowls all the time so one would get more than the other and so on!!

[BudgiesBuddy]

Glad that they are fine. What a nice vet

[Hezz]

This is all sounding more positive for everyone, Shirls. Ha, good luck with individual bowls. You might have to get your stick out and teach them some feeding etiquette.

[OP]

Depending how patient you are you could train them with different shaped bowls. One by one put a treat in the shaped bowl you want that chook to feed from, have none palatable food in the others, let the cook find the treat. Do this with each chook, only putting the treat in the bowl you wnat that chook to feed from.
I have seen something similar done with just one chicken, how you would go on with three??

[Shirls]

I know I am reasonably patient OP, but I don't think I could run with that!!! Sounds quite good tho, re-reading it, it does sound like a possibility. They will do anything for their treats, so who knows? I might just give it a try!!!