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

[Peachy77]

We have a Gingernut Ranger who we have had since last June. She has always been a very pettite lady (think she must have been runt of the litter). For the last 4-5 days she hasnt quite been herself. Not laid, a bit hunched up and a bit slow. Still eating, but not as much. Have wormed them all, given poulrty drink in some pellet porridge (last 4 days). Have check for over for lice/red mite etc and cant see anything. There are a few feathers laying around of hers (she hasnt moulted yet). She has been sneezeing a little. Could this all be part of the moult? Is there anything else I could do to help? She doesnt seem to be getting worse, but jus not better.

[Jools]

They definitely do feel a bit off colour once they start to moult and it's pretty like that your's will be doing that any day now, given their age and the time of year.

 

The sneezing is a bit of a worry, but it does happen sometimes for no real reason. I use Respite for mine as soon as one starts and it seems to nip things in the bud. You can buy it online here

 

Others recommend Citridicil (sp???) but I haven't tried that.

 

If her breathing gets a bit rattly or she gets a discharge or bubbles from her eyes, then it's likely to be an infection which would mean antibiotics from the vet. Hopefully it's not though.

[Peachy77]

Thank you. No discharge or anything. Still doesnt seem to be improving though. Got some poultry spice yeserday, and some tuna, sweetcorn and yoghurt, and try and tempt her to eat something. May try and bring her in for a dew hours as the weather is really damp, and try and get her to eat.

[Egluntyne]

What did you worm her with? If it was a herbal wormer such as VermX I would worm them again with Flubenvet.

[Jools]

[Peachy77]

Yes, it was vermx. How soon can I worm her again then? Last time she was under the weather they (local chicken supplier) told me to double dose the wormer, and give her growers mash.

 

She came in for a few hours yesterday. She is eating but not as much as she normally does - picked out all the sweetcorn!

[Jools]

Verm-X and Flubenvet work differently, so if you've used Verm-X, there's no reason you can't use Flubenvet right away. Equally, if you're using Verm-x according to the instructions, there's no need to use Flubenvet. However, if you want to be 200% sure that worms aren't causing her lethargy, then it won't harm her.

 

Is she still sneezing? Is her breathing rattly, or does she have any kind if discharge from her nostrils or eyes? Is she still laying? What kind of a layer was she - prolific or sporadic? How was her egg quality?

 

Sorry for the third degree lol!

[Peachy77]

dont worry about the third degree. I need the help - lol !!! I dont think she has laid for over a week now. However, I have just given them a quick clean out and there was an egg in the nest that looks like hers - although i saw one of the others go up there this morning, but she has started moulting aswell. She had a little flutter and her feathers were falling out to! So not 100% sure. She has never been the most reliable layer.

 

She is still sneezeing, but cant hear any rattling and there isnt any discharge at all.

 

Have seen her eat and drink this morning, and she even had a little scratch around. And is not sitting in her favourite place on the big tree branch in the run as a perch!

[Jools]

It sounds like you're doing all you can for her tbh. Some do find moulting harder work than others and they definitely go a bit off colour for a while. Or she could just be what they call around here "a poor do-er", particularly as you say she was a little runt-like.

 

A lot of breeders don't breed from their stock until after their first moult as it's such a stressful time and if they get through that first one, they're stong enough birds to perpetuate.

 

I'd be inclined to keep getting her to eat and drink, but unless she deteriorates (or starts getting picked on) don't bring her in too much. I've done that before and the patient got depressed, until I put her back outside with her pals again.

 

Fingers crossed.

[Peachy77]

Thank you. Will keep you updated.

[Egluntyne]

Yep, I'd use Flubenvet straight away.

[Peachy77]

Her feathers have stopped falling out now and the new ones are growing back now. She is still a little quiet and sitting round a bit more than before, and seems to be eating more and scatching round a bit miore as the days go by. Think the moult has just really taken it out of her. How long do they usually stop laying for when they moult? She is still sneezeing a little, but now rattleing noises or discharge at all.

 

We moved them at the weekend onto the patio, with some woodchip in the run. Thoguht a change of ground may help to.

[chick wiggle]

Sounds like your doing all you can, i hope she gets back to her normal self soon. Maybe give flubenvet a go?

[Peachy77]

Im not sure if anywhere sells it round here, didnt really want to order it off the net. Will do it bit of investigating.

[chick wiggle]

Ive always bought mine off the net and never had any probs, good luck

[Peachy77]

Im sure its fine. Was just being stingy and trying not to pay p&p - lol !!!

[chick wiggle]

Oh yeah, I hate the p&p too, I try to look at it as instead of paying for petrol, parking and time but i know what you mean, it does bump the price up