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

[annettec]

I don't know what to do.

 

All my girls have stopped laying now, the first one hasn't laid for nearly three weeks and now the other two have stopped too !

all seem ok although the one not laying the longest, have noticed her comb has gone much paler and isn't anywhere near as red.

have cut down treats, to just the evening. i wormed them about 6 weeks ago but should i re dose them ?

have looked for mites/lice but having not seen them before don't really know what to look for

Have started to add poultry tonic but they don't seem to like it, I thought it smelt lovely

 

The only thing i can think of is they don't seem to eat many pellets, if i fill up the grub pot it will last 3/4 days is this normal for 3 chickens, had thought perhaps i should buy some mash to see if this will increase their consumption.

Otherwise they are behaving normally if a little quieter, eating drinking and coming out to free range,but just don't know whats gone wrong they were all laying everyday.

they are about 6 months old and someone told me that chickens will rest each 6 month period !!

any ideas am missing our eggs and worrying constantly

[moochoo]

I would suggest a few measures. Firstly cut out all treats to encourage them to eat more pellets. Keep them confined to their run for a couple of weeks, again to encourage feeding. What did you worm them with? Treatments like verm x are not strong enough to treat an infestation so if you haven't already worm with Flubenvet or a similar medical wormer.

Are any of them moulting, especially the one with the reduced comb?

In theory at least a couple of them should come back into lay.

[sjp]

re: the pellets I had a similer problem with mine not eating many just after I got them it started when I filled up the feeder instead of just putting a days ration in it also happened again when I wormed them I filled the feeder right up so now I just put a days ration plus one for the pot this seems to work

so my surgestion try half filling the feeder they may then think food is in short supply and start eat the pellets and as moochoo says cut out the treats for a while

[Egluntyne]

I agree with the above.

 

I'd worm them again, and keep them in the run so that they only have access to pellets till mid afternoon if you do let them out.

 

Only one tiny treat to lure them into the run.

 

Any chance that they have taken to laying in the garden somewhere?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

The only thing i can think of is they don't seem to eat many pellets, if i fill up the grub pot it will last 3/4 days is this normal for 3 chickens

 

Our grub needs refilling every day - they don't usually finish it completely but I certainly couldn't leave it out more than one day without adding more. So it does sound like yours may be eating less than normal .

[annettec]

Thanks for all your advice.

I did worm with flubevet but would it be ok to re worm after only 6-7 weeks ?

I really don't think they are eating enough, so will give it a go keeping them locked in for a week or so and see how we go.

When you pick them up they do feel quite bony particularly down the front ? Is this normal ? How would i know if they are under weight ?

 

Thanks for all your advice i never knew i would be so worried !

[sjp]

just a thourght how old are the pellets have they gone past there sell by date

and try adding some poutlry spice and cod liver oil to the pellets

and a tip I was given by the chap who I buy my feed from was to put a swede or cabbage head in to stimulate feeding I used a cauliflower that I'd missed just put the whole lot in the run seemed to do the trick

[annettec]

I have been and bought some layers mash and they are devouring it as if they have never been fed so hopefully that will continue and may help the laying !!