Omlet cube and run

[good_egg]

When the girls arrived Annette brought some friends so our vet gave us some frontline spray for cats and dogs. Worked wonderfully, but as they weren't laying no withdrawal. Two of them now have slightly mucky bottoms - I can't see anything but wondered if this could be mites (they were wormed with flubenvet a couple of months ago so not worms). I seem to recall that some people regularly treat with invermectin - would this be better than the frontline we have? Does anyone no withdrawal for frontline? Do you need a vet to get invermectin? I know none of them are licensed for poultry.

 

Thanks

[Chucky Mama]

By mucky bottoms do you mean pooey? If so it is more likely to be worms. You should Flubenvet them every 3-4 months as a routine.

[good_egg]

I do. But it's not that long since I wormed them. Will do again in case, probably over 3 months ago. Thanks

[The Dogmother]

Their mucky bums could be due to worms (as CM has said) or perhaps due to diet; if you have wormed them recently then I'd look at their diet and take them back to a strict regime of just pellets, water and the odd helping of Bokashi Bran in live yoghurt. No fruit or greens, or slugs or that matter (the latter can be the cause of diarrhoea if they eat too many).

 

Whilst you're at it, check their fluff and vent area for any signs of mites or lice; one of the signs of Northern Fowl Mites is a messy looking rear as the mites' excrement clags up the fluff feathers.

 

Both the products you mention are available for use on poultry only on the prescription of a vet, and neither are licensed for use on poultry at this stage although many vets recommend them. My vet recommends Ivomec Eprinex as a preventative against both mites and lice, but it's marketed as a cattle pour-on in the UK! If you find they have crawlies then I'd take them to a chicken-savvy vet to see if they recommend using a spot-on.

[good_egg]

They don't get many treats. Alfamix food with layers pellets mixed with a little bit if yoghurt and some corn. They do get a small tin of tuna on a Saturday but don't think that would be enough to upset tums and their poops look solid... I'll have a better investigate today. I have frontline from vet so if I find anything might phone and see how long to avoid eggs for. Thanks everyone

[The Dogmother]

The diet sounds OK - I asked as someone had a similar problem the other week and they were feeding lots of greens/fruit.

 

the vet will advise on egg withdrawal periods, if in doubt they usually suggest 7 days.