2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[ToryLou]

Hi!

I have 4 chickens, all hybrids (2 ambers, one blue, one black) and we had them for just over 2 yrs now. up to this spring I was getting 4 eggs a day, which dropped to 3, then 2 then 1 over the hot weather.(understandable i thought!)

I, or rather the chooks are now back up to 2 eggs a day but no more.

one of my ladies (the black one) seems to have a rather dirty area under her bum with matted feathers, (where her poo runs into them) which hasn't improved on its own and means you can see a lot of her skin under her bottom. (i'm bathing her tomorrow morning so she wont get cold and has time to dry) the vent itself is clean. She also has a bald breastbone, which is only noticeable when i pick her up and look.

Also today i noticed that some of her feathers seem to have irritated, red and sore looking, follicles. She has a good colour and is eating well as far as i can tell, although i cannot tell whether she is laying normally or not.

 

over the last week or so, 1 or more of my ladies has been laying bantam sized 'rubber' eggs, (we've had about 5 over 8 days) and there have been some pinky fleshy looking deposits too.

i cant see any signs of parasites, i worm them and powder for mites. Generally they all look fairly healthy as far as i can tell. they have layers pellets and s"Ooops, word censored!"s for food, with added grit and i have been putting a vitamin tonic in their water too.

 

So what's the matter with her follicles?

why only 2 eggs p day still? i know its the same 2 from the egg colour and shape (but not which 2)

should i change anything? am i missing something

 

Thanks in anticipation of your help

Torylou

[Steve the Gas]

Slow moult is my assumption, less eggs/sore feathers etc. I would up the protein level.

[Egluntyne]

I agree, and re the rubbery objects - have a dekko **here**.

[ToryLou]

Thanks for your replies,

it did seem odd, given comb colour, activity etc is all fine!

what is the best (healthiest?) way to increase their protein levels?

 

Ta

Torylou

[Egluntyne]

Dried mealworms or rinsed tuna are what I use.

[ToryLou]

Hi folks

Right OK. so rather unexpectedly and sadly one of my ladies died in the coop this morning . it was Blue, not the one i though might be having troubles.!! i don't know, why unless she's the one with egg trouble, but i couldn't see or feel anything amiss externally.

 

I have washed Mrs G's (the black one) rear end, and i think she has sore follicles due to slight diarrhoea, so have covered that area in vaseline.

 

she seems to have a bit of a bulging area under her vent, it isn't hard or anything just extended. the vent itself seems completely normal. and i'm fairly certain she has laid an egg this morning.

should i have a feel around inside? i dont know what i'm feeling for though as ive ever had to before of how far i can 'poke about'.

i'm off to do some more research now!

 

Thanks

Torylou

[Steve the Gas]

The soft bulgy bit is the bit from the parsons nose to the end of the sternum. Perfectly normal, unless things like lumps etc.

[Egluntyne]

I wouldn't tinker about inside her without good cause. If she is laying, then there can't be too much amiss.