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

[chixandthecity]

Hello

 

I posted yesterday about Blossom, our top chicken.

 

We noticed she was off colour on Sat evening when she went into the eglu early and instead of gong on the perch, she went to bed in the nest. She came out yesterday morning and had a big drink then a little free range, but she was very listless which is totally unlike her. She is a real alpha chicken usually. She went back into the nest and had to be coaxed out with a treat. Having eaten something she headed back to the nest and remained there for ages. When she did come out she just drank, stood around with her eyes closed and then when back in. She didn't eat anything else.

 

This morning she came out of the Eglu and had a big drink, then just stood with her eyes closed in the run. We have brought her inside (in a box with hot water bottle and straw) but she is slumping with closed eyes, her tail is down.

 

She last laid on Friday and normally lays most days. Her poo is odd. There is white/watery stuff and some solid matter which is dark.

 

the only thing which has changed for her recently is that we fitted a bumper bit last Tuesday, but she was fine afterwards, eating and drinking normally, so I can't imagine that has made her ill.

 

I'm going to ring the vet soon as we don't want to lose her!

 

Chix

[Egluntyne]

Can't remember how long you have had her. Has she been wormed?

 

The symptoms you describe could fit with an infestation. Might be worth giving her a course of Flubenvet.

 

Have you done the usual health checks, and looked for signs of lice and in the Eglu for redmite. Might also be worth placing an ear along her back, and seeing if you can hear any rattling or wheezing.

 

Good to hear that you are going to have a word with the vet.

[chixandthecity]

Thanks Egluntine

 

We've only had her five weeks. She's about 8 months old (at least that's what we were told, but she looks older). We wondered about worms. We gave the eglu it's monthly clean out last week, so doubt that there are mites in there.

 

She just seems so sorry for herself and normally she's such a bruiser!

 

 

Chix

[Egluntyne]

We might have hit on something then. I expect the vet will sell you a wormer if s/he thinks that is the problem.

 

Let us know how you get on.

[chixandthecity]

Just spoke to the emergency vet. He said he could see her and give her antibiotics, but he's not the poultry specialist who's usually there.

 

I'm on a mission to track down Flubenvet now!

 

Think my local Pets at Home is open today, but they don't sell chicken paraphernalia. In an emergency, any advice in an emergency?!

 

Chix

[Egluntyne]

Can you find an agricultural supplier....they may have it....if open on a bank Hol w/e.

 

I bet laurmurf has some. Why not pm her.

 

Failing all else, the Yorkshire Omleteers are meeting at Harlow Carr in Harrogate on Sat - I could bring some along if you wanted to meet us there

[laurmurf]

hiya

- thanks for pointing this post in my direction, Egluntine.

Yes, I do have Flubenvet so do feel free to have some off me! The last time i got some it was posted from mostin, the fact that it was held up in the post for a couple of weeks worried us somewhat . I think it would be better, and certainly quicker if you pop round for some, chix. I'll pm you my address and phone number and you can pop round and get some.

 

the other thing you can try is panacur, which they do sell at Pets at Home. You can get this easily (not the chook variety, but the cat one for example then find the dosage on the interweb, or Egluntine may have it). You do have to withdraw eggs for this one, but it may be a quicker acting medicine - would this be true, Egluntine?

 

Fingers crossed for your Blossom, and let me know how i can help!

[Egluntyne]

Thanks Laurie. I seem to remember that the dose of Panacur is 1ml per kg of body weight, with the dose to be repeated in a week. Egg withdrawal during the treatment and for 1 week afterwards as it is *not licensed for use on poultry in UK. How ever it is pretty mainstream for the treatment of worms in chickens. Claret swears by it.