mullethunter Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Two questions in one post - hope that's ok... 1. As you might remember, I wormed my girls (with flubenvet) about 3 weeks ago and found worms, so some of you helpfully recommended I re-worm after 4-6 weeks. This would be in the next couple of weeks, but I have a Wyandotte moulting and a Pekin laying softies (see below) - should I carry on and do the 2nd worming anyway or would it be too much stress on their systems? 2. For about a fortnight now Bernie (Pekin) stopped laying for a few days, then laid a couple of no shell eggs, and now is laying very soft shell eggs that fall down between the roosting bars. Before this she laid probably 4 days out of 7 - small pointed white eggs - but often had 'poorly days' that the vet suspected may be related to pain on ovulation. She has marriages layers pellets, a small amount of mixed corn before bed and FR of the garden for a few hours most days. I've been giving them a few mealworm and today have put some avipro avian in their water - is there anything else I could do to help her out? Thanks all and sorry for the essay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Worming will aid their health because the nutrients the worms are taking are robbing the hens. This should speed the moult and may stop the softies? So I would certainly worm them again now Mullethunter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted August 31, 2015 Author Share Posted August 31, 2015 Thankyou. Will do then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 The soft shelled eggs may well be related to a worm burden, having said that, I don't worm if they are moulting heavily as that puts enough of a strain on their systems without the extra load of strong medication as well. Mine are going through a very gentle moult this time around though, so I will worm them anyway. Use your judgement, but I suspect that the pekin will be helped by a does of wormer. Be sure to support them with a good poultry tonic in the water though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 Thanks DM. They've had avipro avian this week. I think the girl moulting has actually passed the worst of it now so I will worm them. I have my fingers crossed for the Pekin but I have a feeling it may be an underlying issue which is unsolvable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 An egg yesterday with a rubbish shell which I think was Bernie A rubbish shell is much better than no shell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 I guess you're worming them now which should help but I'd think the soft shelled eggs would be to do with the moult rather than a worm burden. I'd also stop feeding mixed corn as it can make them fatty and take away protein and nutrients from the pellets. As long as they are on a good quality feed with mixed grit (with oystershell) they don't need extra corn etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 How much corn do you give them? As Lewis has said, I would stop it all together; if you want to give a treat, then just a few mealworms are fine, and much healthier than corn. Soft shelled eggs can be down to a few issues: Malfunctioning or worn out shell gland - nothing you can do about this Lack of nutrients or calcium - this can be down to a heavy worm burden, or imbalanced diet; cut out treats, feed a good balanced diet, supplement water with a good tonic, and try them on a bit of extra calcium with some cod liver oil. Lastly it can be the legacy of an infection such as Mycoplasma or Infectious Bronchitis - again, nothing you can d about this. Soooo.... just eliminate the ones that you can and see how she goes. I have a youngish bird, which lays soft shelled eggs, she always has. Nothing I can do about it, she is otherwise healthy and it doesn't cause a problem, so I have left her to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
