Single hen

[beach chick]

I've read all the stuff on using Flubenvet, and am about to order some. but I need to ask how you make sure they all get it?

 

of my 8 birds, 2 would take it by hand if on a grape. the other 6 would dither about and then the original 2 would be in there trying to swipe the grape and making sure no one else got it!

 

I could mix it in with some mash or something else particularly delicious, but again, how do I know that each bird is getting enough, or that one's not getting too much?

 

sorry if this sounds particularly dense, I just cant work out the logistics.

 

thanks in advance.

[debbie26pet]

i was told to add it to water, as they all have to drink it, and do you know they loved it and was drinking the full container, and it is a big one,

now i have finished after a week and there water they dont drain it,

so im hoping this will be the same effect, like you and grapes they would steel leave etc

[Hen Watch]

I can't advise on any other methods as I've only used the grape one.

 

If your girls free range can you let them out in pairs and shut the others away whilst you dose them?

 

I sometimes spread corn on the ground in a wide area and nab a chicken whilst the others are occupied. Has backfired occasionally when the chook drops the grape and another nabs it.

 

What about a 2 person job. One catches and picks up each chicken whilst the other holds out a grape, so each chook is done in turn.

 

Edit for typos.

Edited October 3, 2008 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

Not sure that it is a good idea to add it to the drinking water, unless you keep stirring it, as it won't stay suspended in the water.

 

I find it easiest to add it to the feed. I found that if I dipped grapes in it etc, I had some overdosed and others untreated.

 

At least if it is added to the feed, they ingest the correct dose for their size and age, which will dictate their appetite.

[welsh sarah]

i added it to mash i dont know if they all got the right dose, but they are all fine

sarah

[helenmb]

If you measure out 7 days supply of pellets or mash and add the dosage for your 8 girls and mix well (you can add a bit of vegetable oil to the pellets to help it stick) you can then feed them with this for the 7 days and then throw any feed left in the compost bin. This way they eat the right amount for their body weight as the bigger girls will eat more than the smaller ones.

 

Dosage: 5g (approx 1 rounded teaspoonful) per 4kg of feed. This ratio of Flubenvet to feed to be administered over 7 days.

 

Hope this helps. At least this way you know they are all going to get their dosage.

[The good lifers]

We use Verm x, you can add to water OR get it in pellet form to "top dress" their daily food.you don't have to stop eating the eggs either- seemed to do the trick, Is available on the site, or you can get the different versions from "countrywide" stores-hope that helps.

[beach chick]

sorry, thought I had posted a reply...

helen's & egluntine's suggestions seem the best for my situation.

I dont know what they eat per day in terms of weight, basically 4-6 mugs full of layers pellets. so if I weigh that, add the right amount of Flubenvet and a bit of veg oil and stir it up, will it keep ok for a week?

 

I've tried Verm-x, but not convinced they actually get it, I think they pick the pellets out and leave the Verm-x.

[Sandychick]

I used a handfull of sweetcorn to dose mine. It's the only thing that they all gobble at the same rate and all get their fair share of! If the sweetcorn is damp the Flubenvet sticks to it.

 

I did try the grape method but it was just a comedy scene. They are just not polite enough to que up and have one each are they? I nearly lost various fingers and caused the biggest chicken squabble ever seen.

 

From my experience, Verm-x didn't do a lot when I tried it and I had to get Flubenvet to shift their worms.

[The good lifers]

Have ordered the flubenvet, just in case!!the local vet said the worst times for chickens getting worms are spring and autumn.

Thanks-for the advice!

[helenmb]

Beach Chick

 

It'll keep fine - if you have a large 'tupperware' style box then that would be your best bet or an old cake tin.

 

H

[beach chick]

great, many thanks Helen.