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

[pigletsretreat]

Hi,

 

My buff sussex was being pecked to bleed point regularly so we decided to put her in a separate area. She was laying and seemed fine until she moulted ( about 5 weeks ago). Her feathers are now mostly grown back, but she is off her food. While she looks healthy enough, she isn't really bothered about her food, even dried mealworms which used to be a favourite.She's also still not laying.

 

Is she lonely? She can see the other 3 chooks, but a mesh fence keeps them apart. If so, is it worth me getting another baby buff sussex to keep her company, that hopefully won't bully her? My other 3 chooks are 2 Vorwerk and a speckled sussex bantam. They are all ok together.

 

Any ideas? Thanks

[Jools]

If she is within sight and sound of the others, then loneliness probably isn't the problem. I'd be reluctant to get another until you've made sure she isn't ill tbh.

 

She probably won't come back into lay until spring, but her lack of interest in food is a worry. How long has she been off her food? Does she have any other symptoms? Have you checked her for mites or lice? And, of course, has she been wormed recently?

[pigletsretreat]

Hi,

 

She doesn't seem to have anything on her but does have very liquid poo - I'm putting this down to her doing more drinking than eating. I haven't wormed her. How would I know if she has worms? Wouldn't she be eating just as much if she had worms?

She has been off her food for a couple of weeks at least. She will eat some bread, or bits of apple, and pecks a bit at the pellets, but used to eat loads! She has quite a large free range area so could just be getting all she needs there. Her feathers are growing and she looks normal, including her comb being ok. She is just over one and laid all last winter.

I'm just not sure whether I should just wait it out as she seems ok apart from the liquid poo, or if I need to do something.

[Jools]

I don't know if worms are the cause of her not eating, but if you haven't wormed her, then it's a good place to start. Her droppings will be abnormal because of her lack of food.

 

There's a guide to worming here

 

However, I think if it were me, I get her to a vet in the meantime for a check over as she's been off her food for so long. I've done that before with one of mine and the vet gave her antibiotic and steroid injections in case she had an underlying infection and to boost her appetite.

 

Good luck with her

[C&T]

Personally, I'd worm her.

 

You often can't tell if a chook has an infestation - until you worm them and you see all the dead ones in their poo...

 

We worm ours every 3 months regardless of how well they are looking, and we do see as a result the odd white dead thing in the bottom of the eglu during the week long treatment.

 

It is a very simple thing to do, and does at least eliminate this as a problem.

 

I use Flubenvet (sp?) and many on here recomend it. And there is no egg withdrawal!

[pigletsretreat]

Thanks for the advice. I shall get some wormer and do them all anyway.

 

If she doesn't start eating better by Monday I will pop her to the vet for a check up.

 

Thanks for your advice folks

[Gamebird]

Worming and checking for lice, mites etc is a good idea on a regular basis.

 

However, if she is a pure bred Buff Sussex then it is likely that she has stopped laying for the winter and will start again early next spring.

 

The fact that she is not producing any eggs will reduce her appetite accordingly.

[sandyhas3chucks]

I hate pop ups but shouldn't this forum have a pop up that says WORM THEM and not with VermX

Oh and links to all the "worm postings"

You could send a poop sample off to retfords for testing and once you know she is not ailing personally, I would and did get a pal for my single girl.

Best thing I ever did I reckon