Prolapsed vent - am I getting it right?

[afrozenbrew]

One of my chickens, Iago, died last night. It was very unexpected and I haven't a clue what from, I can only think it might have been mites or lice. I separated her about a month ago from the others because she was pecking and eating their feathers. She wasn't eating or laying as much as usual, but seemed fine.

 

I know pecking and eating feathers can be a sign of parasites, so I inspected my hens but couldn't see anything. There are indications though, dark spots on the feathers, and some of their feathers look scraggy. There hasn't really been a drop in egg production though and all seem fine. I've been treating them with mite spray, powder and diatom earth. Some of the chickens have quite large bald patches and their feathers don't appear to be growing back, I have been spraying them with gentian violet. I'm just really worried, it looks like more of their feathers are becoming scraggy now, I don't want them to go the same way as Iago.

 

Does anyone know the name(s) of the spot on treatments that some people have used to get rid of parasites? Are they effective/safe?

 

Are they any other tips of how to get rid of parasites and encourage feather growth?

[Egluntyne]

You could try **Xeno 200**

 

Sorry to read about Iago.

[chanters]

Very sorry to hear about your sudden loss.

 

Hens sometimes peck and consume feathers when they're lacking in protein. Try increasing the amount of protein if you think they may not be getting enough, this also helps with feather production.

[lisa33]

Sorry to hear about Iago.

[afrozenbrew]

Thanks for all the kind words and advice.

 

Eglutine - have you tried Xeno 200? Is there an egg withdrawl period?

[Egluntyne]

I have tried it. It certainly got rid of a lice infstation that a few of my girls had.

 

My vet recommended it. There is an egg withdrawal of 1 week if I remember correctly, as strictly speaking it is not licensed for poultry in the UK. (Should have mentioned that before)

 

My vet said she doesn't bother with the egg withdrawal herself, as it is a treatment used for humans in the third world to rid them of gut parasites.

 

You should be OK if you don't pass the eggs on to anyone else for that time, and perhaps it might be a good idea not to feed them to anyone under the age of 2, or anyone pregnant or breastfeeding.