Unsecure chicken perches

[Alis girls]

As you know I lost a chicken last Friday (see sick chicken -sad update) Yesterday Delilah a regular layer didnt lay - today a softie - still lively etc - I have Baytril and Metacam left - do I treat now - Bathsheba my dead hen laid softies for about 2 weeks. all moulting, wormed regularly - should I reworm (done Dec 2010 last) I have given poultry spice, ACV and extra calcium as greens and ground up egg shell.

Thanks Panic stricken chicken mum - oh they were POL about 20weeks old April 2010 - Omlet hens

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[scarlettohara]

I think it would be OK to worm them again, do you have ordinary grit with oyster shell ? Pets at Home sell it (think the Bwood one sells chicken stuff). Just give one supplement - NAF lifeguard is very good.

[Olly]

Don't panic - do you know what caused Bathsheba's death? Is it likely to be the same thing? Hens do lay softies from time to time and it doesn't necessarily indicate illness. If she seems lively otherwise, I wouldn't jump to any conclusions - it's understandable when you've just lost one, but it may be something totally different.

[Chucky Mama]

I agree, go for the Flubenvet worming and a general supplement rather than one that provides calcium alone. Then just ensure that she is eating either a good quality mash or pellets with no treats other than fresh greens. I certainly would not give her either of the meds at this point.

[Alis girls]

Thanks everyone - Scarlet she is having the pets at home grit stuff. She also free ranges - yesterday they seemed loathe to FR in their fenced off area - checked for predators - nil - cats were in the garden and I think they would let me know if there was a fox in situe. I put it down to being very windy - they are in moult so could be they are chilly. I will do as suggested - soz re being a wimp just was enjoying my hens so much and now I am totally stressed all the time. Was tearful last night as my hens body was double wrapped in dustbin and has gone today. What am I like.

Scartlet was perusing hen section last Thursday in P at H B'hamwood and there was a lady in there doing the same - was that you?

[Chucky Mama]

Being able to produce a normal egg during a moult is quite a task. It is quite normal for them to stop laying or lay a softie or 2.

[Alis girls]

I think I panicked cos bathsheba laid a lot of softies - sorry just a wussy chicken mum. Thanks for your reassurances - worming starts tommorrow

[Alis girls]

I suspect Bathsheba died of peritonitis as forgot to add that on the day of her death her knickers were covered in yellow stuff (not yolk) - she seemed broody and then laid one egg on the Tuesday before Easter and then ? became egg bound. I thought I had learnt so much - read everything on hens but when they are ill I feel out of my depth

[scarlettohara]

No it wasn't me Try and get the Lifeguard supplement - it supports girls in moult too

[Alis girls]

yes thanks Scarlett I will do that - another softie today but shes wandering round FR and eating well. Note to self stop stressing.