kazhoney Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I am concerned for my chickens. It's my first year of owning chickens and my first winter. Although they seem to eat well and they don't want for food, they always eat any treats, they seem bright eyed enough and they lare aying eggs well enough for the time of year (sometimes one each a day). On picking them up I feel that they are too thin, as their breast bones feels so prominent. They appear fine but they just feel too thin to me but I'm not sure what they're supposed to feel like! They are hybrids, Bovan Goldline, Bovan Amber and a Rhode Ranger. I'm worried it could be worms, though I give them verm x regularly and crushed pumpkin seeds sometimes too as I've heard these are good for worms. The vet was astonishingly expensive £20 something pounds for 5 mins and no treatment last time! So I don't wish to visit her unless something really is wrong. Their crops always seem full at the end of the day so I'm confused. Many thanks. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Have you wormed them with Flubenvet? Verm x is a natural repellant to worms but does not cure an infestation if they have one. If they seem generally well I wouldn't worry, layers are supposed to be a slimmer bird and it's fine to feel their breast bone. Fat chooks don't lay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazhoney Posted January 15, 2009 Author Share Posted January 15, 2009 Hi Moochoo Thanks v much. No I'd not used Flubenvet yet, would I get that from the vet? Any idea on cost please? I believe you have to stop eating eggs for a month if they are fed it is that correct? Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I got my Flubenvet from Beeston Animal Heath (http://www.wormers.co.uk/). It doesn't have an egg withdrawal period for normal usage. There are lots of threads about Flubenvet to look through (ie how to give it etc etc!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Hi you can buy it from here for £13.20 http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/flubenvet-medicated-premixture_1_19154.html and at some countrywide stores. You don't have to use a lot, the instructions are on the tub. There is no egg withdrawal with this wormer so you can still eat their eggs whilst using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kazhoney Posted January 15, 2009 Author Share Posted January 15, 2009 That's fab! Thanks so much. My vet said she'd charge £18.40 for 60g plus £19 (exc vat) to see the chicken so that would save me a lot. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Laying hens do tend to be thin. Table hens have a more plumptious breast. Worming them is a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 i have a goldline who is very skinny next to my other birds, and she feels all boney when i pick her up. i think its just the breed, shes very happy and she eats well and passes food well and shes been wormed, so i wouldnt worry about it too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambles Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Gosh I was going to post the same thing! I've just wormed my two new girls who are perfectly content, bright eyed and perky tailed. What a bargain too, I've just paid £21 for flubenvet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Flubenvet is my wormer of choice too. And I give it once every 3 months regardless. That said, my hybrid Miss Pepperpot is the greediest chook but is the most skinny of my 4. If you part her feathers you can see her breastbone. But I'm not worried as she is perky and has alway been that way in comparison to the others who look larger but it's probably all just feather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
