Steve. Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 We've tried everything ... but our chickens feathers aren't growing back. Limestone Flour / Worming / Extra Protein / Dog-Shampoo baths / Redmite Treatment etc. Enid who has hardly any feathers at all has seem to have 'lost her legs' and has got the wobbles. I don't think she'll survive for long when it gets colder. We are tempted to cull the lot and start again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Oh dear . I don't suppose there's anything you can do to make feathers grow (other than what you have done). Perhaps they're in the middle of a moult despite having no feathers? (Just a guess, I've no idea really!) Don't know what to suggest about Enid . Have you tried Avipro? It's hard to know if that'll help though, without knowing what's wrong with her . If you can shelter your run from the worst of the bad weather (when it comes) they'll probably be OK? I hope your culling comment was just a joke borne of frustration . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Could be just a waiting game. Often they need a good winter moult to kick start the whole re-feathering/laying thing. I'd be inclined to take Enid to the vet. It sounds as if she might have some underlying condition. I'm sure there is really no need to consider culling just yet. Nil Desperandum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Were they pecked off rather than falling out because then they wouldn't grow if the quill is still there? Better get your OH making a fleece jacket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted October 10, 2009 Author Share Posted October 10, 2009 Hi - thanks for thoughts. Enid's been without feathers for over a year. The poor naked thing. The run has a full-cover and is in a sheltered area. Seems to be lots of wet-poos at the moment, whatever that means. I've not seen any bad behaviour for a very long time. Though the feathers do look as if they've been forcibly removed or pecked. Though I've not seen any pecking for a very long time, about 11 months. They seem to be a happy bunch and quite placid now in their old age. Some feathers are growing back - a thin hair-like thing - but they don't seem go any further than that. It's very embarrassing to have to explain to visitors why my chooks don't have any feathers. Enid has her moments when she can't stand up very well ... then she is 'okay for a while' as she tries to hide the problem from the others. Afraid a vet is out of the question from a cost point of view - sorry if this offends someone but we regard them more as 'livestock' than some others would. I won't let her suffer if she gets worse. If they could talk it'd be a lot easier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Actually Steve it really upsets me. Livestock or not they deserve to be cared for properly, that's what is so heartbreaking about the way battery hens are kept! Sounds like someone is poorly if you have runny poohs and have wormed with flubenvet. It could be they are all just a bit underpar with an underlying something and need a course of antibiotics.... that it seems you are not prepared to get If you don't want to take her to the vet, please take her to the local RSPCA. Where abouts are you in Hampshire as I know for certain sure that the RSPCA in Chobham Surrey will take her, if you are not too far away I would be happy to collect & take her for you, if they would not arrange collection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 A course of Baytril has just cost me £8. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Steve, I'm not offended, particularly as you've given details of all the different options you've tried, and stated that you won't let her suffer un-necessarily. It's a fact of life that poultry are pets to some and livestock to others. Or both lol. Okay, you've mentioned red mite treatment, but I wonder if your birds are suffering from a different parasite. Have you seen any signs of lice - the eggs look like clusters of grains of sugar, often found around the vent area. Or it could be something like Northern Fowl Mite which would cause loss of feathers too. You'll find tiny crawlies on them. Unfortunately, if they do have NFM, then you will need your vet to prescribe something stronger to deal with them and they're unlikely to do that without seeing at least one first. The more experienced (not me I hasten to add) would suggest a topical spray like Deosect with repeated treatment every five days or so until all signs have gone, coupled with application of something like Ivermectin. Or of course, it could be something completely different! I hope you get to the bottom of it soon though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted October 10, 2009 Author Share Posted October 10, 2009 We have a shelf in the garage full of loads of potions, sprays, medicines, powders, and gubbins to be taken internally and externally. We've inspected the chooks on and we did find red-mite earlier in the year - this was dealt with in a uncompromising fashion. Unfortunately the local Pigeons seem to have a major fascination with them and their food. Today they got another bath in warm, dog-shampoo. Probably to no avail. Enid went to bed with a full crop ... though I've noticed that it's always hung to her right by some margin ... she seemed to be a little bit more with it this evening. A great shame she is unwell as Enid is my favourite chicken. Interestingly Enid showed more a lot more interest in the Limestone Flour/Chicken Grit I'd left out this afternoon in a bowl ... maybe she's not clocked where the tub of it is kept in the run .... aggghhh .... this'd be a lot easier if you could give them directions! Might just leave another bowl of Chicken Grit near the other Chicken Grit though can't leave anything overnight otherwise all of them complain at dawn that there is no Corn in the bowl and annoy all the neighbours. I'm sorry for starting this thread - I was, and still are very frustrated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Poor you, I understand how you must be very frustrated. It sounds like you have been through all of the obvious things. Worms shouldn't influence the growth of feathers but being under par (if they have worms) may affect their general health and therefore feather growth. Have you wormed with Flubenvet? I personally wouldn't bathe them anymore as you could strip them of any natural oils etc in their skin which protects them. If they all have problems I would be inclined to think that it is parasites. Could it be depluming mite? I have pm'd you a link to another forum with info. I didn't post it here as I am not sure of the rules re this sort of thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 steve, have you heard of a product called oregostim? It is really good there are 2 other oregano oil products one that you can buy in "pets corner" in the garden centres. Any way if you do a search, you will find a lot of research has been done now as farmers are no longer allowed to prophylactically treat with antibiotics due to resistamce etc,. with oregostim you need to use it at double the maintenance dose (in the water) and you may not see eradication of whatever ails for up to 2 months. (no I don't work for oregostim ) however where possible I do prefer to treat "naturally". It is brilliant stuff but despite this I have on 2 occasions recently (STILL) needed antibiotics. Have you considered sending a poo sample to retfords? (dunno how postal strikes will affect you) the rates are not expensive and they will post out the meds. at not stupid prices. I think you have seen the depluming mite posts as I see you said neem oil is not an option for you?(because of the smell ) As you know flowers of sulphur have been used successfully and one method was to mix it in with the dog shampoo, (the sort with natural pymithrian in it, you will also be aware from the posts that the "bog standard" treatments are ineffective if it is depluming mite, and that they live under the skin. It would also seem that they are more susceptible if they are "under par" for whatever the reason. I have had 3 ex bats that were not thriving and re feathering as they should,(different releases and time span) and a short course of baytril sorted 2 out almost immediately, though one had more serious infections(as shown by retfords) and in fact needed 2 courses.(the 1`st did clear the diarrhea but she was still poorly and vet feared we would lose her) and in days after starting 2nd course,was back on her feet, and almost immediately started to regrow her feathers. (she was released in Feb, kept back by rescue due to her state, came to me On good Friday. has had lice, mites, and depluming mite poor love) well she is stunning now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted October 11, 2009 Author Share Posted October 11, 2009 Bless her Enid is still laying despite not being that steady on her legs. Poor thing is starting to shiver Have put a massive pile of chicken grit out for her to nibble at. Other chickens aren't really laying at the moment - lucky to get 3 or 4 eggs from them. Have read the other suggestions thank you ... will provide any updates etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted November 1, 2009 Author Share Posted November 1, 2009 RIP Enid. Noticed this morning she wasn't down with the other chickens. Found her on the roosting bars this morning. She must have expired during the night as she still had some food in her crop. I guess the Fireworks last night finished her off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Sorry to hear that Steve. Several of us seem to have had a year of unusual feather loss. Mine are now pulling through & I'm giving them extra protein, but some hens are just more vulnerable, I know you tried everything. I hope your other hens are well, the feed supplier today suggested quail feed for extra protein for mine. R.I.P. Enid. Happy memories, you'll miss her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Sorry to hear your sad news Steve, you did your best, RIP Enid Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 I feel very bad about it ... I told the children but they were too young to really understand. The rest of the chickens are slowly going the same way ... with the newer chooks ahead of the rest. Will try to find some Flowers of Sulphur to give them in a bath ... in case it's some horrid depluming mite .. but it's going to be tricky to find another day to spend stripping down the cube and run to clean it all out ..... again .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 From what I gather from reading this forum, flowers of sulphur is used like a paste/cream - it needs to be mixed with a base cream, I think the suggestion is E45. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted November 8, 2009 Author Share Posted November 8, 2009 And finally one of the chickens looks like a porcupine with new feathers coming through. The rest don't seem to be too fussed about doing anything. Grr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 And finally one of the chickens looks like a porcupine with new feathers coming through. The rest don't seem to be too fussed about doing anything. Grr. Steve, I've been getting only 1 or 2 eggs daily from 9 hens for quite a while, it is frustrating. I think it's been a strange summer/autumn. However, I treated for depluming mite, and then several went into full moult as well. One depluming mite hen has just this week gained the porcupine spikes, after about 4 months of looking like a Naked Neck hen! I'm giving them all extras such as Spice or tonic, plus this week, since a local breeder recommended, a few handfuls of quails pellets as they are high protein. I think once this moult is over they'll pick up again, hope yours do too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 Hi Teabag, thanks. Can you tell what worked to treat the mite? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Hi Steve, Sorry you are having such a torrid time of it. I got Flowers of Sulphur from ebay for a couple of quid and mixed it with E45. I have to say though my girls still have bald tummies and legs but appear to be perfectly happy and healthy. Have also tried Neem to no avail. I am at a loss, so think I am just destined to have bald chooks. I also think it's a bit cold for bathing now..... My chooks have never moulted, so dont know if that's part of the problem.... I really hope that things pick up for you and you can begin to feel a bit more postive... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Yes, I used Flowers of Sulphur. It's hard to apply as a powder, so mixing with a base cream, such as E45 is easier. I didn't even manage to cover the whole area, a hens neck is hard to do! But I def. think it eased the condition. I think a combination of that, and heavy moulting, will have made the hens quite run down. 6-8 weeks is not unexpected for a heavy moult. Shed feathers led to feather eating, then pecking, and stress. Not good for layers. They've been a week on the quail pellet supplement and are definitely improving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 I feel very bad about it ... I told the children but they were too young to really understand. The rest of the chickens are slowly going the same way ... with the newer chooks ahead of the rest. Will try to find some Flowers of Sulphur to give them in a bath ... in case it's some horrid depluming mite .. but it's going to be tricky to find another day to spend stripping down the cube and run to clean it all out ..... again .... Don't you think as you have had this on going and Enid died after you left her naked for nearly a year! that it is time you took your girls to a vet? At the very least esp if you STILL have the runny poos you could gather up some poo from them all, mix it and send it to Retfords for testing. Re depluming might, (someone knowledgeable please jump in here) but I thought theu lived UNDER the skin not in the houses.???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Yes, depluming mite would be on the birds but can't be seen. Always good to clean the house though, in case of other parasites. I do wonder if there could be some feather pecking going on, even if you don't see it. Are the remaining hens looking ill, or just stopped laying, Steve? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted November 11, 2009 Author Share Posted November 11, 2009 I don't think there is any point taking the chicken to the vet as from what I've read vet's are quite useless with this problem? If I'd seen if she was suffering or collapsed I'd have put her out of her misery. Everything has been cleaned and disinfected from top to bottom + I use mite powder on a regular basis. Feathers are slowly coming back on a few other chickens but only one of them is actually having a molt. At the moment I'm getting between 2 to 3, maybe 4 eggs a day from the 7 chickens. They all seem fine. Only Enid had a wobble, and that went after a few days. In the summer it was 6 eggs per week per chicken. They've been recently wormed with Flubenvet. Poo's that I can see are normal (well normal for chickens). I've not seen any feather pecking for a very long time. They have layers pellets + vegtable oil + Limestone flour + chicken grit + chicken spice + bokashi bran + garlic in their feed grub. Am saving egg shells / roasting them and will be adding them to the feed also. Water has Horse ACV in it every couple of weeks. They have a big bowl of chicken grit that they can help themselves to ad lib. Delilah's porcupine quills are doing well. I have decided against using a sulphur on the chickens as DW is pregnant so I don't want there it be any risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
