4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Steph101]

We had our new cube a couple of weeks ago, and integrated our four new chooks without any problems. The first week was fine - all our original girls laying bigger eggs than ever. However, now they are all together in the same house, things aren't so good. We are getting practically no eggs at all now. The last couple seemed smaller than usual, and our top chook has layed a couple of strange ones, that appear to have less white on them when they're cooked. She doesn't seem herself either, she was limping for a couple of days, and seems slower on her feet (she's only 9 months old). They are given grit and limestone flour regularly, and yes, they've all been dosed with Flubenvet recently. One of my black rocks has a crackly sounding chest, too, and keeps sneezing and making noises like a duck! I keep them clean Diatom with Stalosan in their roosting area and nest box. I've spotted a few strange droppings, even a couple of yellow ones, but the majority look normal. Their drink contains, Respite, garlic, Citricial, Johnsons Cold Remedy, Apple Cider Vinegar, Poultry Booster. Their feed contains Organic Layers Pellets, grit, limestone flour, garlic powder, Poultry Spice, Bokashi Bran, Diatom....

 

Can anyone out there give me any advice?

Edited October 19, 2008 by Guest

[Steph101]

PLease, help! Really worried. If someone could get back to me with their advice, I'd be really grateful.

[jos]

I'm no expert,Steph, and I'm sure someone will be along shortly with good advice, but , if it's any comfort, all mine have recently pretty well stopped laying and the eggs I am getting are not as good as they were. They seem ok in themselves so I think it's partly daylight changes and partly, with my chickens, age.

[sandyhas3chucks]

Lots have reduced their laying due to the shorter days.

Is it possible though that the new girls had something that the others have caught, or maybe the stress of new girls in their bedroom?

Have heard stress can make then succomb to things they may not normally catch!

I would be worried about the rattly chest & take her to the vet, could be simple course of Antibiotics for them all.

Def no expert but hope this helps till one comes along

[moochoo]

Hi Steph, as long as they all appear to be well and are eating and drinking ok I really wouldn't worry too much.

It could well be a little bit of stress with new girls, plus the shorter days. My girls are only producing 2 or 3 eggs a day but I've put most of that down to moulting and reduced daylight hours.

It might be worth giving them 2 days or so with no treats and confined to quarters. Mine always lay better when they haven't been free ranging. It gives them chance to just eat their layers pellets and get proper nutrients.

I hope they pick up soon.

[Egluntyne]

Hmmmmm......could be the time of year making things slow down a bit. Especially if a moult is involved.

 

I agree with the suggestion re confining them to barracks and just giving them pellets and water for a day or two...it might kick start them again.

 

If one has a crackly chest, maybe she has an infection. Why not take her to the vet......a course of antibiotics might be in order.