Chicken bald back

[mrsatroy]

I have 3 of my flock on antibiotics for a respiratory illness - they are currently living in my hall! Of the 3 2 of them are still laying - but when I pick them up they seem very thin, I can feel their breast bone and it seems very prominent. My little silkie who recently started laying feels the same too.The sick hen that I think only lays periodically or not at all is much more solid and is a very healthy looking hen despite being the oldest - she's nearly 4. Is there anything I can do to improve the condition of the flock. I am currently giving them a poultry supplement that's seaweed based with added calcium. I give them sardines, mixed grain, and sweetcorn as a treat. In addition they have constant access to their layers pellets and they free range in half the garden under the fruit trees.

[chickencam]

Their diet sounds pretty good to me. Laying hens are quite thin because of the amount of energy that goes into producing eggs. Mine have Garvo layers pellets all day then a handful of Garvo mixed corn special about an hour before dark mixed with some meal worms for extra protein. I have one who is 8 years old so I must be doing something right.

 

Hope that your sick ladies are soon back to good health, if they are still laying they must be in better condition than you think.

[Chickabee]

I think if I was really worried I would cut out any treats. Other than maybe some sunflower hearts. You can mix their pellets with olive oil. The pellets should have everything they need to become fit and healthy. Which brand do you use? Mine looked quite poor a week or so ago, it was because they all decided to have a massive mount at the same time Sunflower hearts and tonic in their water seems to have helped a bit.

 

You can also give them some pro biotic yoghurt. This is especially beneficial after anti b's.

 

Good luck

[mullethunter]

Sounds like you're doing pretty much the right thing. I'd probably cut back a bit on corn too but keep the fish and maybe add sunflower seeds or mealworms.

 

Sorry to give conflicting advice but I wouldn't give probiotic yoghurt as birds can't digest yoghurt. If you want to give probiotics you can use avipro avian (which I have used and think is good) or Beryl's bacteria (which I haven't tried).

[Chickabee]

Thanks mullethunter, I get carried away sometimes. After 5 years I'm still learning

[mullethunter]

I only know because Lewis said so

[Chickabee]

thank goodness for Lewis

[Luvachicken]

Be careful if you go for Beryl's bacteria - it absolutely stinks and is even worse if they decide to share it with you.

Make sure you have something else to breathe in as it really does turn your stomach

Better to go for avipro avian, still a bit smelly but only a tiny bit, but you can mix it in their water and they help themselves.