How Quickly Does Albendazole Work?

[ChickNic]

Hi Guys,

 

I am a bit concerned about my favourite hen Gretchen. She is the larger of my two chickens - always first to the food, first out the eglu and frequently barging Daisy out the way to get what she wants.

 

However, yesterday we noticed that Gretchen just isn't herself. She's moving a lot slower, not jumping and has puffed up all he feathers. She also looks like she hasn't got much of a neck as it's sunken into her head a bit. She is eating and drinking, although not with the speed or enthusiasm she showed at the weekend. She does have bright alert eyes though.

 

Both girls have been laying intermittent soft eggs (although it is hard to work out whose laying what as they lay when we are at work), so I have increased oyster shell and grit available in the run. Poo doesn't seem particularly abnormal - although did see a couple of really runny white ones from Gretchen last night.

 

Any ideas on what could be wrong, or if there is anything I can do to help her?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Nicky.

[moochoo]

Soft shelled eggs can make chickens rather poorly and often have this fluffed up and hunched appearance.

Have you wormed them recently? If not it may be worth doing as a worm infestation causes havoc with egg production. Also have a feel at her lower abdomen to see if it feels swollen or hot, signs of egg peritonitis.

If it's just a soft shelled egg trying to be laid she'll perk up after it's been laid. If she remains like this it may be worth getting her to a vet.

[chelsea]

agree with the above advice.

 

Hunching is a sign or worms or lice - so give the hen the once over for lice or beasties.

 

Soft shelled eggs can also make a hen appear hunched and "zoned out" for 24 hours.

 

Hope she's perky soon.

[ChickNic]

Well, I do feel rather silly now. She has perked up no end and back to battling it our for her share of the corn. I suspect the soft egg was a problem as I found another in the eglu this evening. I will get some worming medicine as they have had soft egg issues for a while now.

 

I have noticed this evening that she has a slightly blue comb too. I can't remember her having this yesterday, although maybe I am trying to find problems because I'm worried - is this linked to egg production?

 

Thanks so much for your replies,

Nicky.

[moochoo]

A blue comb can be signs of a heart / circulation problem but concidering she was so unwell yesterday it could just be from that.