Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[urbanhen]

I noticed last week that Gertie has been picking on Jem, they were fine the day before then suddenly Gertie kept running after Jem and giving her looks and has even caught her by the neck etc. We changed the wood chips in the hen run on Saturday and again Gertie started acting strange and walking around with her mouth open. I of course thought the worse and suspected Gapeworm, but they were only just wormed with Flubenvet 4 weeks ago (plus we only have the 3 hens and have only had them since October when they were 17 weeks old). Hubby thought it was maybe stress from us moving the run and replacing the wood chips. We left it and the next day she was fine again. 2 days later and I've noticed her walking around with the mouth open again (not constant though). I noticed her doing a poo and quickly went out to investigate and I swear I saw wee white worms in the faeces! Why is this happening to me?! They stay in a run of about 12' x 4' with wood chip ground cover and the are let out for about 1 hr to 2 hrs a day into our garden which is roughly 20' x 30' (15'x 15' being grass). Is it ok to worm them again after only 4 weeks from the last dosage (which at the time I thought was only a preventative)? Maybe have to stop the free ranging in the garden and buy another run which can be moved about every couple of weeks?! I'm new to all this and a real worrier...

[fluffy chick]

I think you can do them every month if needed. What does the packet say? Are you sure they all got the worming stuff?!! Mine is just mixed in with feed so you can't really be sure iykwim?

[urbanhen]

The Flubenvet is mixed in with their feed so to be honest am not sure really if they all got their proper dose or not! Was going to try the grapes dipped into the powder but a few on this forum have recommended against that! I just hope it clears up ok. I automatically think this is so awful and just want someone to tell me everythings going to be ok and that this is a minor problem. All 3 girls are s"Ooops, word censored!"ing and running around and eating ok (although in the morning I have noticed Gertie not allowing Jem near the food, I always put a second dish in to make sure Jem is getting her share) However I have noticed that 1 of the girls (I think its Gertie) has only laid every second day in the past week.

[Chucky Mama]

If you think that you have seen worms you can worm them again now. I would keep them in and feed them the medicated feed only. No treats and no free ranging during the 7 days treatment. This way you know they have been done properly. It is also probably worth sanitising your ground.

[urbanhen]

I have the feed (well 2kg) medicated hopefully that lasts the 7 days but if not will make a 2nd batch. This might seem a silly question, but what do I use to sanitize the ground? Will I also need to change the wood chips again after the 7 days( I only just changed them at the weekend there)?

[Jools]

I read recently that you should Flubenvet every 4-6 weeks if environmental conditions dictate - that's according to Victoria Roberts.

 

You can sanitise the ground either by resting it from chickens for 6 months or so (probably not do-able in your case), removing the top couple of inches of soil/turf/etc (far too much like hard work) or spreading some ground sanitising powder all over your garden (Nettex sell a natural wormer and ground sanitising powder - I haven't tried either).

 

Or you could always send a droppings sample to Retford Poultry Vets to get a worm egg count done - it's about £10 and you can have one test done for all three hens. Then you'll know what burden your chooks have.

 

An open beak doesn't necessarily mean Gape Worm, they do it for lots of reasons, sometimes just because they can. Or to worry you silly!

[urbanhen]

Hi Jools! Will have to do something with the garden. Might try taking a layer off and re sowing in grass! I live in Northern Ireland so am a great distance from Retford Poultry. I wonder if there's someone over here who does that testing? I might phone the local vet to see if they would know! Thanks everyone for the replies!

[urbanhen]

Ok didn't get chance to ring about samples for analysis but just after checking Gerties poo again and definately there are worms. Very hard to see them cuz they are miniscule threadlike and seem to be only about 1/2 a centimetre. I also noticed that her poo has consistency of wet sand (very gritty) her poo looks normal but I've never investigated before like this so maybe this is what it does feel like? or has she been eating the sand in their dust bath?.Felt soo bad today not allowing them out of their run, everytime I went outside they went mad thinking they were getting out. Started the flubenvet today and haven't decided on what to do with the garden!