Pottage Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 (edited) So, one of my chickens has been doing these since we got them and they stink! I have a vet appointment tomorrow because I've heard yellow, frothy poos are bad news. Then whist I am clearing their poop up from the patio I find this So, I'm guessing they all have worms. Yay If they are passing them is this a good thing? Do I still need to visit the vet tomorrow, or can I just get some flubenvet and start treating? All they other poops have clear/white egg looking things so I'm guessing this is the worms too? When I was doing a bum check earlier, there are some fast moving sand/white coloured lice on one of the girls. Will diatrom sort this, or should I consider something else/take her to the vet too? Thanks everyone! Edited June 20, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlisonH Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 What lovely photos! Definately worms, flubenvet will sort without vet appointment. Once you've treated you will need to redo, after a while. The instructions tell you when. As for the lice, can 't help you there as I've never experienced those but you'll be able to buy something. I wouldn't rush to the vets as it can get very expensive very quickly if you go with simple to cure problems. Hope you get sorted soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolly Posted June 19, 2014 Share Posted June 19, 2014 The diatom is a preventative and won't get rid of the lice but if you search for 'lice' on the forum there should be lots of advice on the best treatment to use on them. I think Xeno 200 spray is recommended or other ivermectin based treatments (not licenced for use on poultry in the uk) but hopefully someone with more experience will come along Good luck and let us know how you get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 The first two pictures are normal occurrences. But I have noticed their frequency increases considerably towards worming. That's a bad case of worms. THere will be some very gooey poos after the first few doses. We use Dog or Cat flea spray with Pyrethrum for lice. One or two sprays in the affected area kills all. Not a licensed product for chickens though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pottage Posted June 20, 2014 Author Share Posted June 20, 2014 No wonder my poor little dumplings are always so hungry. I found another worm in the yellow, frothy poos last night. Seriously, if you would have told me a year ago I would be spending my evening wandering around after chickens waiting for them to poo and then picking them up and inspecting their bottoms I would have laughed at you! It's a good job they are all so adorable really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Remember if they have mucky bottom feathers they need washing Pottage. This is to reduce the risk of fly strike. So if you thought inspecting poos was a bad job !!!! We found it is definitely a two person job. One holds the bird, the other wets the feathers and squeezes the poo out of them. For very bad cases we use baby shampoo. In time our Orpingtons became used to the process and will now stand in the tray and preen while their bottom is washed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pottage Posted June 20, 2014 Author Share Posted June 20, 2014 So, spoken to the vet and she has prescribed Ivermectin. Apparently, this will kill the worms and the mites in a double whammy. I know we with have to withdraw eggs for 14 days but I like the idea of something I know is getting into them, rather than going in their food and ending up all over the coop floor! The girls are lolling around sunbathing at the moment. I'm kind of glad I saw that worm because otherwise it's unlikely I would have realised what was happening inside them. They show no signs of feeling poorly, and are happily continuing to trash my garden! Thanks for everyones help, I really appreciate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlisonH Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Put it on the calendar to remind yourself to worm in the future. I always find that I think I've done it recently but then find it's ages ago. A reminder is always helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 Definitely worms! You will need to dose them with Flubenvet medicated pellets, do 2 treatments 3 weeks apart as it looks like they have a pretty bad infestation, then repeat quarterly thereafter. Do note that the presence/lack of worms in the poo is no indication of whether or not they have them; for an accurate assessment, you will need to send off a faecal sample to the vet or online tester. Whilst Ivermectin is prescribed (off label) by vets for treating lice and mites on poultry, it will act as a wormer too, but it isn't very broad-spectrum, so I wouldn't rely on it to worm your hens if you are using it for lice; I would also worm with Flubenvet, but leave a week between that and the lice treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
