Chicken boarders

[Frankie Dicken]

Rosie is still dashing out of the coop and frantically pecking up loads of dirt in certain areas. I know there must be eggs or grubs there but nothing to see. Her droppings are runny and full of grit and earth.......surprise , surprise! She is getting quite thin. Her eyesight is bad after an illness when she was a pullet. The other two hens also peck in these areas, but their behaviour is more normal.. There has been no improvement with worming them with Flubenvet last week.

 

They are kept in an area about 18 x12, I clear up the droppings twice daily, and at lunch time they have the freedom of a large garden with plenty of grass and places to have dust baths etc.

 

Does anyone have any idea what might be in the ground?

 

Frantically yours

 

Frankie

[mimi5]

My pekins also like to eat earth! I can only think that they are trying to get minerals from the soil? One pekin has also been a bit to keen on gobbling down grit more than the others (which is easy to see in the droppings!) I changed their grit recently and it is smaller and a bit uniform in shape and size.......I wonder if they think (Penny in particular!) that it is corn?

 

Can anyone else shed more light???????

[Egghead68]

I don't know but I think I would try giving her nutridrops and see if the earth-eating decreases.

[Chucky Mama]

Is she an older hen? There may be something that she is lacking that she is instinctively trying to get from the soil or something tasty there. She may also have 'pica' which is a disorder that can be related to senility where animals (or humans) have a craving or appetite for non nutritive things. I have never heard of it personally in poultry but it happens with other animals.

[sandyhas3chucks]

Is she an older hen? There may be something that she is lacking that she is instinctively trying to get from the soil or something tasty there. She may also have 'pica' which is a disorder that can be related to senility where animals (or humans) have a craving or appetite for non nutritive things. I have never heard of it personally in poultry but it happens with other animals.

was going to suggest the same I would try feeding her separately with some Critical care formula mixed with her favourite food and some mealies.. also a good vitamin tonic in their water .

[Egluntyne]

Maybe they need some poultry grit?

[Frankie Dicken]

Rosie is not yet one year old, but I will try some food supplements or tonics as I don't think she has ever fully recovered from her illness as a pullet. I have some cider vinegar.....would that be useful or can anyone recommend another tonic?

 

Thanks for advice

Frankie Dicken

[sandyhas3chucks]

Not any use as vitamins. Supplement.

Look in shop here or try bird care company. There are lots to choose from vetark do a reliable range