How Quickly Does Albendazole Work?

[judith67]

My black maran Clementine dies in the night after trying all day yesterday to pass a softie. I think the shell got stuck inside her.

Now my sussex star Lucy came running out of the coop this morning with long shell hanging out of her vent. I pulled gently and some of it came away but there is still some stuck in there. I dont know what to do now, give it a few hours maybe and try a warm bath. But after losing Clementine I dont want to lose another.

i don't understand it, nothing has changed, their food is the same, and their grit, quantities the same.

The only thing i can think of is that i love to free range them as i think its natural for them. but when they free range they never seem to eat their normal food. so i do scatter food and grit around their free range area.

[Christian]

Sorry to hear about Clementine Judith

 

I would bring Lucy inside and give her a warm bath. The heat will hopefully relax her enough to pass the shell. Is the shell soft? This makes it easier, as a hard shell could break inside her. Soft shelled take more effort to pass though. Keep her somewhere warm and quiet and hopefully she will be ok.

 

I would take her to a vet if she is no better in a few hours.

 

Good luck

[Egluntyne]

Have you other hens? If so I would isolate her to prevent them investigating. A soluble calcium supplement might help her expel the gubbins, if you can get hold of one.

 

A warm soak, or sitting her on a hot water bottle might relax her enough for it to pass, too.

 

I think you are right in guessing that the free ranging is preventing them from eating the pellets. I would keep them in the run till midday and then let them range after they have tanked up on pellets.

 

Scattering food on the ground might attract vermin, so it is probably best not to do this.

[judith67]

Phew she passed it by herself.

She went to the nest box for 2 hours and when i last checked she was back outside running and pecking as usual. I found the last little bit of shell in the nest box.

Thanks all for advice.

[Egluntyne]

Glad to hear it.