Britannia Ovens (esp Range cookers) your experience

[Minnie&Moose]

Our Gingernut Minnie, one of our original Omlet girls, isn't quite as she was. She moulted quite significantly Nov/Dec time but has feathered up beautifully and is shiny and new looking. However, her comb is still pale and she hasn't come back into lay (the others are all laying including her age-mate Moose. There are no signs of lice, her legs look fine, and they were all wormed with flubenvet a week ago.

 

Minnie is now always first to bed and last up. She's doing all the right things and is still interested in life but seems to be resting a lot more than the others, or than she did before. She's eating, but her crop isn't as huge as it used to be, she still fights over worms and other treats, so it's hard to pinpoint why I think she's not quite right. However, I did notice yesterday when out in the garden with them that although she was active and joined in with the digging there were times when her comb appeared more purply pink than white pink - and it was then that I noticed her stopping and taking a short nap.

 

She arrived Mar 2008 and started laying May 08 - could she just be winding down or am I missing something that needs attention?

 

Any suggestions most welcome. Thanks.

[chelsea]

She sounds like a healthy hen for her age. And you've eliminated the obvious ailments, I think possibly just age

 

My Maran is the oldest now and she took a very long break from laying (several months) and is just coming back into lay now. I would say Minnie is taking a longer break too The purpley comb could be a sign of a heart problem, I would just keep a close eye on her as I am sure you are doing.

[sandyhas3chucks]

I THINK lice can cause pale combs?

[Egluntyne]

I'd worm her to be on the safe side.

[Minnie&Moose]

Hi Egluntyne - I wormed her just over a week ago with Flubenvet - should I do it again so soon?

 

many thanks. Minnie&Moose

 

I'd worm her to be on the safe side.

[Daphne]

No - there's no need. One of my older ladies sometimes goes from looking pale and pasty to red and healthy over the space of a few minutes. I know she isn't absolutely 100% but I just keep a gentle eye on her. Check your girl over for lice/mites, make sure there's none in the coop, check her eyes/nostrils for discharge and and listen to her breathing. If everything is OK then I'd say she's just feeling a bit low after the moult and the better weather should help her perk up a bit.

[Minnie&Moose]

Many thanks for replies - I'll keep an eye on her as suggested.