Dorset Bird Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 Advice grateully received for the following problem....... About a month ago, we sadly had to despatch one of our 2 year old chickens because after a spell of soft egg laying, she started to eat them. Our remaining chicken (Bramble) up until this point had been laying well, and was in good condition. I immediately replaced the despatched chicken with a 30 week old chicken, so that she wouldn't be alone. The two of them settled very quickly, no major dramas, just Bramble letting the new one know her place. Since then, Bramble hasn't laid a thing, and has become decreasingly lethargic with no appetite, she's drinking though. Her bum has become increasingly mucky. Our chickens live in an area about 8m square which I regularly poo pick. They have another similar sized area which i rotate them to every 3 months post worming. I worm them with flubenvet, last done early April. Might this be a protozoa problem? And if so, how can I go about treating this whithout incurring a massive vets bill, but obviously should a visit to the vet be necessary, then so be it. Do readers think that I my husbandry arrangements are ok? Although they're not totally free-range, they do have greens in their diet, layers pellets, grit and shell available. Please help......... Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorset Bird Posted June 9, 2011 Author Share Posted June 9, 2011 Amendment.........!! she has become increasingly lethargic, not decreasingly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 About a month ago, we sadly had to despatch one of our 2 year old chickens because after a spell of soft egg laying, she started to eat them. Is this a sign of something drastic?? Just wondered because you say you had to put her down?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 About a month ago, we sadly had to despatch one of our 2 year old chickens because after a spell of soft egg laying, she started to eat them. Is this a sign of something drastic?? Just wondered because you say you had to put her down?? Oooo, I was wondering the same thing, I have one girl who lays softies more or less all the time (she's an ex-batt) and inevitably, the contents of said softies gets eaten unless I get to them first ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 When mine lay softies they usually eat them, it's normal. I give them some extra grit and they usually get back into the routine of laying good eggs again. Sorry can't help about protozoa problem! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 About a month ago, we sadly had to despatch one of our 2 year old chickens because after a spell of soft egg laying, she started to eat them. so was there another reason Dorset Bird felt she needed putting down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorset Bird Posted June 10, 2011 Author Share Posted June 10, 2011 Thanks for the replies so far.... The bird was put down on the advice of various 'chicken people' more experienced than me. Unfortunately, due to working full time, I was never in a position to be at home to remove eggs before they were eaten. Her eggs had begun to harden up, but the habit continued. It wasn't a decision I took lightly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted June 10, 2011 Share Posted June 10, 2011 it must have been a really hard decision for you..............I'm glad you have others to enjoy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
