Backyard Fowl Keepers

Glad you figured it out! A good candler makes a huge difference. Hope you get a great hatch rate!

A well-ventilated coop is key! Mosquitoes prefer still air, so adding vents or a fan can help. Citronella plants around the coop also deter them naturally.

Give them space to scratch and forage,it keeps them happy!

You could leave the seeds in the compost, but be mindful of how much you're adding. If you end up with a lot of seeds, they might sprout when you use the compost. One solution is to cover the pile with a tarp to help retain heat and break down the seeds faster.

Since your head hen is leading this behavior, she may feel the run is safer or more comfortable for some reason. Have you checked for ammonia buildup in the coop? Even a faint smell could make them want fresher air.

If you're after eye-catching hybrids, a Tolbunt Polish rooster with Ameraucana and Welsummer hens could produce funky crested hybrids that lay blue and speckled brown eggs.

If they're getting soaked multiple times a day, it's best to keep a very close eye on their body temp. Cold chicks can go downhill fast!

I'd separate the more lethargic one from the other just in case it's something contagious. Quarantine is good, but extra caution never hurts.

Feeding high-protein food scraps like scrambled eggs or cooked meat can reduce the amount of commercial feed they need. Just be careful not to overdo it.

I think you're on the right track by giving her some time to recover in a calm, dark space. It seems like the stress from her wings being over-mated and possibly constipation caused the weird walking. Chickens do get constipated, but it's usually due to stress, dehydration, or a poor diet. To avoid ...