[animal mad]

Hi, i have 5 hybrid chickens the two maran types always seem to have dirty bottoms. one of the chickens has diarrhoea today  no blood just very runny and not nice smelling and i asume it is one of them. the other 3 coloumbian black tail and light sussex are fine, no problem at all. Does anyone have any ideas they are in a closed run, are 15 weeks old.
could worms be a problem

[Vember]

Hi Am

Have you had a look through the poo pics?
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=17568.0

Does it resemble any

Sarah

[animal mad]

thanks i have checked them all it i just liquid  dark brown, no texture or anything.

[Vember]

Have they eaten anything different or have you added anything to their feed or water in the last 24 hours ?


Sarah

[animal mad]

no, although i have just put down new bark from a tree surgeon. everything else is the same. do youthink i should worm them.

[poultrygeist]

Hi AM.

I would try worming them unless you can think of another reason for the runny poo. You could also try a bit of live yoghurt to see if that helps to settle them.
Other things to check are colour of combs (although they're a bit young I notice), tail up or down, if any of them feel extra warm under the wings.

Rob

[SusieB]

What might 'warm under the wings' signify?

[poultrygeist]

If any feel warmer than the rest, it can indicate a high temperature, caused by an infection. You would then need to see a vet for anti-biotics.
The palce to check is where the wing meets the body, in the 'armpit' 

A tail pointing down is often a good indicator of a poorly hen.

Rob

[SusieB]

Ohh, there's so much to know.  Thank you.

[poultrygeist]

   Far more than I know, or ever will, which is why the forum works so well with different views from many experienced keepers. 

Rob

[animal mad]

i have been out and checked them the tails are up and they dont feel hot, so i will get some wormer tomorrow, any brand better than others.

[Vember]

Flubenvet is the way to go AM in my opinion

Tells you about the different types here : 

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=4348.0

Sarah

[animal mad]

brilliant thanks

[jc]

Hi,

 I've had  my chickens for about 3 months and everything has been great until the weekend, when i noticed one with a dirty bottom - this is when i saw your query!
 My book said take her to the vet so I did.  Everything seems to be fine, and she doesn't seem ill, but I've noticed she is laying shellless eggs - not regularly, at odd times - like the middle of the night.  What can i do about this, as it seems these chickens go downhill very quickly - any help would be really appreciated. Thanks.

Should I be worming the chicks every now and then as routine?  Thanks

[Aunt Sally]

If she is laying shell-less eggs she may be low on calcium.  Try boosting it. 

Laying hens should be fed on layers pellets/mash ad lib and have crushed oyster shell available to them at all times.

Bio yogurt is a good quick supply of calcium and phosphorus, cod liver oil (just a drop) will supply the vit D3 needed for calcium uptake by the gut.  If the shell-less eggs continue a dessert spoon full of limestone flower added to a kilo of pellets for a week will help, but don't give it all the time.