Is my pekin bantam male or female?

[Eggshell]

One of my chickens seems to have had diarrhoea for a couple of days - very watery poo first thing in the morning, though I'm not sure if it's the same all day; there are plenty of normal poos around, but that could just be from the other two chickens. Their dustbath got swamped the other day when the tarpaulin failed and they all started drinking out of it very eagerly, so she might have picked up a bug from that. So far, they all seem to be acting completely normally, though. Still laying (they're hybrids), though not quite as much as in the summer. They were all wormed mid-September. I've just ordered Biostop and some probiotic powder; is there anything else I should be doing at this stage, and are there particular symptoms I should be on the lookout for? Thanks for any advice.

[Eggshell]

And a further question, please - the probiotic powder has arrived already, but the Biostop hasn't. Is it useful to start them on the probiotic powder before the Biostop arrives, or does it have to be the other way round? Can they have both together, or does it need to be one and then the other? Worried Thanks.

[Eggshell]

Dogmother? Beantree? Anyone?

[mullethunter]

Sorry Eggshell I can't help but just wanted you to know people are looking. One of my Pekins had diarrhoea for a few weeks but no treats for a while and then worming seems to have mostly sorted her out.

[Luvachicken]

I'm sorry you haven't got the help you need yet.

I am not much use either as my Queenie is still suffering from watery poo.

 

I'm sure someone will know what to do for the best.

Hopefully your other stuff will come in the post tomorrow.

At least you know you can't be giving it to them now anyway.

[Beantree]

I just read up on Biostop Eggshell and I'm a bit puzzled. Seems it has anti-bacterial qualities, but it's the 'good bacteria' that populate the digestive system, the probiotics. They are killed during administration of antibiotics and need to be replaced. Biostop claims to be good for chickens with diarrhoea, but I fail to see how that could be. I wouldn't bother with it myself because won't use a product I don't understand.

 

The probiotic powder is presumably something like Avipro Avian. That won't do any harm at all so I'd start on that immediately. We are using Avipro at the moment, but have also been giving probiotic natural yoghurt. I have to say that I have more faith in the probiotic yoghurt although I wouldn't use it in a case of sour crop.

 

Worth checking her crop first though Eggshell. She has developed this diarrhoea for a reason. Check for an impaction which has gone sour.

[Egluntyne]

Bokashi bran mixed with their feed, or given separately, is very good at settling the squitts in hens.

 

Cut back on extras too, and just give pellets or mash. If it continues, and really is diarrhoea as opposed to just a few loose poos, then she needs to be seen by a vet, in case it is anything infectious.

[Eggshell]

Thanks for the replies. I've disinfected the whole run and started on the probiotic powder. Her poo this morning was soft but more normal-looking - not watery - and she's looking active, so I'm feeling a bit more hopeful. Her crop looks ok too, but I'll keep an eye on it and try to get a proper feel of it today.

 

Maybe I should hold off on the Biostop, then; it'll be a few days before it arrives anyway, so I can see how she gets on without it. As for the bran - would you recommend the normal Bokashi Active Bran or the Syn-Vital Bokashi that Omlet does? And is it something you give them all the time, or only when there's a problem? Thanks.

[gavclojak]

If the diarrhoea returns I would think about getting the poop tested. Retfords poultry offer a really good and fast service and its relatively cheap.

just had my newbies tested as I was worried about coccidiosis, they were clear thank goodness!!

They are really helpful too maybe give them a call on 01777 703011.

 

As for pro-biotic I have been advised by my vet and BHWT to use pro-kolin and for my girls it seems to have done the trick.

[Luvachicken]

As for pro-biotic I have been advised by my vet and BHWT to use pro-kolin and for my girls it seems to have done the trick.

 

I looked at this but it seems to be measured for cats and dogs. How do you know how much to give to a chicken ?

And so much puzzlement - to get this or the Avipro

[gavclojak]

As for pro-biotic I have been advised by my vet and BHWT to use pro-kolin and for my girls it seems to have done the trick.

 

I looked at this but it seems to be measured for cats and dogs. How do you know how much to give to a chicken ?

And so much puzzlement - to get this or the Avipro

 

Yes I used it for my dogs so I was surprised when BHWT recommended it. It's a measured syringe dispenser and on the 30 ml size it's one clic of the syring twice a day. It's very palatable and they will eat it readily but can be added to food too.

 

I still use if for my dog every now and then when he had a dodgy belly

[Luvachicken]

As for pro-biotic I have been advised by my vet and BHWT to use pro-kolin and for my girls it seems to have done the trick.

 

I looked at this but it seems to be measured for cats and dogs. How do you know how much to give to a chicken ?

And so much puzzlement - to get this or the Avipro

 

Yes I used it for my dogs so I was surprised when BHWT recommended it. It's a measured syringe dispenser and on the 30 ml size it's one clic of the syring twice a day. It's very palatable and they will eat it readily but can be added to food too.

 

I still use if for my dog every now and then when he had a dodgy belly

 

Thanks gavclojak

[Eggshell]

I'm using a Crossgates probiotic, which I think I saw Dogmother recommend somewhere and which has poultry amounts indicated. My chicken has been doing some more normal poos for the last couple of days, so I hope is improving. I don't know if the problem has gone altogether; part of the difficulty has been that I've been down with a debilitating cold for over a week, so haven't been watching the chickens as closely as I should.