Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Holly Carney on October 20, 2010, 08:30
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I have a problem with my ex-batts and need some inspiration!
In the last week or so 3 of them have been looking listless and sitting around with their feathers all puffed out, there stools are loose and watery but no sigh of worms! Sadly we lost one of them 2 days ago (our oldest at approx 3yrs) and her poo's were pale yellow water just before she died which happened very quickly in the end. now another one is looking like she is going the same way and i am stumped at what it could be. They live in a hardwood woodchip covered run which is replenished regularly, they have access to oyster shell and grit, we feed them a layers pellet/garden mix combination and put cider vinegar in their water. Of the other two chickens one is absolutely fine and the other is walking about all puffed out but otherwise seems ok and both have normal stools!
I anyone can shed anylight on this I would be very grateful as I love my ladies and hate to see them deteriorate. :(
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My first thought was Coccidosis, if they have had access to some stagnent water or something. Ex bats have very little immune system as they have been fed anti biotics all their working life, the runny stools can be a sign, have you checked the poo thread?
When was the last time you wormed them, and did you use Flubenvet?
Do they free range outside the run?
How long have you had them?
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So sorry to hear about your hens :(
I would agree with the questions Aidy is asking. It would help if we knew the answers and I would just add that it may be a good idea to find a local chicken-friendly vet as soon as poss.
I also wanted to wish you luck :)
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i've ordered some flubenvet to see if that helps, we give them verm-x every month but i now realise thats not a wormer only a preventer! They occasionally roam the garden but its mostly stone so spend most of their time digging in the run!
We are on our second batch of ex-batts, we got the first lot 18mths ago and lost one in june one about 3 weeks ago then the last 2 days ago, we have had the second batch since July and after loosing one within a couple of weeks the others have been doing well until now! Another has just died this afternoon seemingly of the same thing at the other on (2 days ago!)
The run is well sheltered and the drainage is really good as on the fens in lincolnshire so no stagnent water about!
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Sounds like worms to me.
When you say "No sign of worms" do you mean none passed with their stools ? It is quite unusual for them to be passed out of the hen.
Check to see if the poorly ones have a temperature. Feel under her wing and compare with a fit hen. If she is warmer tha the well hen take her to the vet for antibiotics - baytril would be fine.
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I mean no sign of eggs in their stools!
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Do you check a stool prep under a microscope ?
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not yet but do have a scope so can check! no sign of blood though but other than that that the symptoms do seem to fit the Coccidosis symptoms.
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Make a wet prep and work up through the magnifications. Eggs are oval with slightly bulging ends. Even if they have worms you may not see eggs without doing a concentration, which is a specialist lab job.
Coxoid can be given to them for cocci.
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and no temperature, will have a look under the scope and let you know!
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They will look like this:
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o107/xscrunchee/PICT0101-1.jpg)
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Can't find anything in either of the remaining chickens poo's that resembles the picture above but i'm not exactly a microbiologist!! thanks for all the tips i'll keep ypu posted.
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Have noticed some blood in the liveliest chickens poo so will endeavour to get hold of some coxiod today to try and sort them out!
I have noticed though as another sympton that they seem to be drinking an awful lot!
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Dont forget with coxoid there is a 28 day egg withdrawal period and its important to get it in them soon as. Good luck.
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Is it ok to worm them at the same time as using coxoid?? don't want to overload them with medication!
Thanks for reminding me about the egg withdrawal - will be strange as haven't bought eggs in 18mths!
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To be honest not sure, perhaps aunty will advice us. Given the choice the coxoid would take priority as it is more fatal for the chooks.
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Sorry to hear you've lost some of your girls, they become so much a part of the family, don't they? I also started with ex-bats last year, lost the first one after 6 months and now only have 2 of the original 6 left, along with a couple of others from earlier this year, one of which has been confirmed as a cockerel!
I'll be keeping an eye on this thread as a couple of mine also have watery droppings, including some odd looking greenish stuff (aged copper green, if that makes sense). I'm worming mine at the moment, a couple of months later than intended due to unforeseen circumstances, so I hope it's just down to the delay.
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I would get the advice of a vet. Some antibiotics may be what is needed.
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Well the treatment has commenced so I will keep you posted on how the remaining 2 get on!
Lola seems fine with no signs of any problems but Gertie is not really eating - continues to drink a lot though which is good as the coxoid is in the water! her comb has gone a bit purple tipped today though and the poo's she has done hare watery and look undigested!
Fingers crossed she makes it!
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fingers toes wings and claws crossed! Good luck :)
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:) :) :)
One day on and Gertie is looking a little more lively, has been eating this morning and has spent hours scratching around rather than standing looking miserable!!
Hopefully this will continue and I will see my ladies back to normal xx
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Fantastic news, here's hoping for the full recovery. I checked earlier to see if you had updated.
Fingers crossed.
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Great news, Holly, long may it continue :)
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Well this morning Gertie's comb is more purple which doesn't look good! not sure which way she is going to go!! but she is still eating and drinking.
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can anyone advise as to how often to worm with flubenvet pls girls have access to the garden if that is important to note.
many thanks
broody
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For the first dose.
7 days of layers pellets with flubenvet mixed in. This should be their exclusive diet.
Then repeat 3 weeks later.
Then every six months.
Hope that helps.
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thanks for that oL :) :)
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Well she is still here and we have been coaxing her to eat which seems to be helping! her poo is less watery but no signs of worms in being passed so don't think its that!
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So pleased for you Holly :) :)
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And Gertie seem to be improving - eating well this morning and looking more lively! yay
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Good on you, Gertie :)
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Alas I think my hopes are short lived - She has been rathers wobbley this morning and seems a bit listless! Lola remains absolutely fine though still!!
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well Gertie is currently standing all huddled and looks miserable - she is very thin and her comb remains purple over at least 50%, I bought her in but she wasn't keen and kept trying to get out of the box! she is still eager to eat mealworms but not interested in much else although continues to drink loads!
We lost our first ex-batt to egg peritonitis in july this year but the more recent deaths (3 in the last 6 weeks - 2 of which we're within 2 days of each other) have all pointed towards worms or coccidosis but after treating the remaining 2 for both if these things Gertie has continued to deteriorate!
I am confused as Lola remains very well, eating, drinking and laying 4-5 eggs a week.
I was wondering about ground poisening as they spend most of their time in a 12 x 8ft Woodchip run but with Lola so well am not convinced this is likely!
Anyone with any new idea's would be much appreciated.
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I would say don't let her suffer too long. :(
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Don't worry Sally we won't!
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Well we put Little Gertie out of her misery this afternoon :( :( :( :(
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Oh that's sad. At least you tried to give her a chance and know you did all you could. :(
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:( So sorry to hear that, Holly. You have really done all you could
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It's a very hard decision to make but you know it was the right one.
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My heart goes out to you Holly, we had 12 ex batts 18 months ago now we only have 2 left so know exactly how you feel.
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I hate seeing them go - but just can't watch them suffer!
thanks for all the help through this troubled 2 weeks :(
Couldn't leave little Lola all alone though, so she now has 2 new friends - a pair of Brown Leghorns who are very timid but seem to be settling in well! I don't think I could cope without some ladies to go and chat too in the garden :lol:
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any pics? :)
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Hi Holly
Been a way for the last week or so and thought I would catch up. Really sorry to hear the news.
I hope the new ones settle in quick and give you the joy of keeping chooks again.
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Im sending you all my best wishes. You've really been through it Holly, you deserve some real good luck now.
Mary.
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Thanks guys, I really felt like I had let my ladies down :( but I tried my best and thats all i could do - unfortunately ex-batts just don't seem to do well!