What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[attenbhp]

I've had 6 hens for several months now, 4-5 eggs per day, all eating buckets and no problems, appart from a bit of bullying.

 

I just got back from 2 weeks holiday to find serious problems.

 

One died, of unknown cause.

 

One prolapsed, but the neighbor who was looking after them did the right thing, and separated her from the rest, and got help. That hen is now adopted by my neighbors son, healthy and laying again - in fact, looking better that before - big red comb, loads of noise.

 

One is sick - watery poo with white bits, hunched up, floppy and pale comb. Not eating much at all, hardly drinking either (though the weather is cold and wet). I've cleaned her up (sort of - still rather matted), and fed her sweetcorn on her own, and she seemed to perk up a bit. She is very thin, as was the one that died, and it was these two that have always been bullied a bit.

 

The other three, although they appear healthy and are still laying, are hardly eating anything. When I left, they were demolishing about 150g of mash per day each. This is down to a few grams - the level on the feeder did not drop noticably yesterday at all. They used to love corn as a treat, but are not as enthusiastic as before.

 

I've tried worming with Verm-X in the water (as they're not eating) - but I'm not convinced they're all getting it enough for it to work.

 

I've tried changing back from Mash with Bokashi (WigglyWigglers.co.uk) to pellets - but they didn't eat them either.

 

 

I'm starting to panic.

 

Any advice?

[bokbokbok]

That sounds very distressing. Something has happened because they weren't in the same routine while you were away - the only thing I can think of is the cleaning routine - have you checked for lice and red mite?

[attenbhp]

Yes, but... maybe not well enough, as I've never seen then before, so may be missing them.

 

I will check them again.

[Donna_0]

Hi there

Oh no you must be worried sick. I found lice on mine last week, and I found them more noticeable around their fluffy knickers on the skin. This made them stop laying but they never lost their appetite

Maybe you should try flubenvet (not sure if I have spelt it right?!) I'vre heard this is better than verm-x and can be got from petmeds.co.uk.

I hope you find out what is wrong

 

-Barbara 28/07/08

-Margot 04/08/08

[Egluntyne]

Why not try Flubenvet? It is a good all round wormer.

 

Verm-x will not be much use at this stage as it is more of a preventative than a treatment.

 

Panacur might be a good idea too....it is a suspension which you syringe down their beaks.

 

TBH I'd be inclined to take them to the vet as they do sound poorly.

[Smiler]

It sounds very concerning.

 

When we leave our neighbour to look after ours. They play up at night, not going in for her but nothing like you are describing.

The story from one of the people on here put me off using Verm-x so I get our wormer from the vet. It cost me £1.25 for the four girls and has to be done twice a year. Only thing is it has to be given straight down but once you have done it once it isn't so bad.

Hope you get to the bottom of the problem real soon.

[MedusA]

I agree that it would be a good idea to take your poorliest girl to the vet to get a definitive diagnosis so you know she is being treated for the correct illness.

 

Chickens can go downhill very fast when they are poorly, but fortunately, also bounce back again with the right treatment. As with your hen that your neighbour's son has now adopted, for example.

 

It's still a good idea to check for infestations though and give their house a really good clean.

 

I hope you get them sorted soon. I know how worried you must be. *hugs*

[Steph101]

Have you tried any tonics like Poultry Spice and Poultry Booster? They are suppsed to pick them up and increase appeitite. Worth a try.

[Steph101]

I tend to worry about mine a lot too, and if I get that concerned I email Barbara. She's usually got some tips up her sleeve.