barmaid2011 Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I really do not know what is up with my three. This week we have had a red mite infestation (hen house been stripped out, steam cleaned, treated with poultry shield and then diatom - that was Tuesday and I am planning a re-run this afternoon). Girls have been treated with red mite powder. They still have nice red crests and wattles and are still laying. They are still rushing round like loons as well. However, there is something not quite right. Yesterday, my Lisa Lou Lou was in the henhouse for HOURS before she eventually popped an egg. When she came down from the nest box it was if she was disorientated and couldn't find the door. It took me ages to coax her out as she was madly running up and down the other side of the hen house (which has no door). She then sat in the corner of the garden making very odd growling noises. This morning I went down at 6.30 to let them out (at this time of year they are usually yelling to be let out any time from about 6). I opened the roost house and all three just sat there - normally its a mad dash down the ramp to get to their breakfast. They eventually wondered down about 8am. Even then when my OH let them out into the garden they just preferred to stay in their house - again very unusual because they are normally yelling to get out and try and raid the veg patch. My OH got them all out. Then at lunch time Margy Bargy went to lay her daily egg - the others followed her and they all sat on their perches!! So unusual. Is this likely to be red mite related? Or something else? Is Verm-X any good (just bought some)? Can anyone suggest anything else likely to be wrong with them? The only other thing I could think of is some form of poisening. I'd be really grateful for some advice, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Hours on the nestbox, growling - sounds like broodiness to me . It would be strange though, if they were all broody at the same time . I'd say it's unlikely to be red mite as if that was in the house, they wouldn't want to sit there. There's info here about broody hens. Flubenvet is really the only effective wormer (and the only one licensed for poultry in the UK). Sorry - you've just bought Vermex . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
