[Nick]

Hi,

I have a hen who today seems really slow, her tail is held low and is not too fussed by food.  She is normally as bright as a button and is our friendlies one so we know shes not right.

We got our girls in March and have no knowledge of chicken illnesses, so all advice will be gratefully received

Many Thanks

 :cry:

[mumsy]

Hi Nick & welcome

Are they laying?  Sometimes they have an off day then lay a soft shelled egg especially when they have just started laying.  Once its out of the system they seem to perk up.  Other than that it could be a number of things.  I'm sure others will be along with their ideas.

[Nick]

Thanks for the speedy reply,

Yes she layed today, so I know it's not egg related.

[agapanthus]

Does she have any other symptons? Are her eyes bright? Does she have smelly breath? Is she passing odd poos?

[Nick]

I haven't seen her pooh today so i dont know.  Do chickens get depressed? we've got builders in at the moment and they are restricted to  only part of the garden and don't like it at all.. ( its still 20msq so not a small space) Also I have never wormed them.  Are there any symptons for that which i should be aware of? I cleaned them out today and over than small signs of mites everything was normal.  Do mites bother them badly?
 :!:

[Nick]

Sorry, eyes seem fine and didn't notice smelly breath when we had a cuddle..

[Aunt Sally]

Also I have never wormed them.  Are there any symptons for that which i should be aware of? I cleaned them out today and over than small signs of mites everything was normal.  Do mites bother them badly?
 :!:

How old are they.  It may be a good idea to worm them if it's never been done and they are poorly

BUT if they have mites in their house it is more likely to be that causing the problem.  The such the chickens blood at night and can cause serious anaemia.  They must be dealt with immediately before you worm  them !

You can read about mites here:

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=5250

[Nick]

Thanks for that interesting read.

They are nine months old, and came fully treated for everything, i'll get out tomorrow and de-lice them.. What i found in the hen house was small hard black dots - is that lice??Am i best calling the vet for treatment or can i get stuff from farm stores?

[Aunt Sally]

Did they look like the pictures in that link Nick ?

Squash some and if they leave a red smear they are red mites !
The red is chook blood.


Scrub out with Jayes fluid and spray well with Poultry Sheild then keep dusted with red mite powder or diatom.  Do this at least once a week untill you have the little critters beat.

[Aunt Sally]

It's all available on-line but you might get it quicker from a farm store

[Nick]

Yes did try and squash them but they were hard not sure if it was just dirt that had fallen of them from there bathing, will scrub and treat the house anyway.
Many Thanks for your advice will get straight on it tomorrow  

[Aunt Sally]

Well if it's not mites you'll need to consider what else may be upsetting her !