[kellym]

please help......i was out collecting my eggs this morning when i noticed my one girl eating pooh  is this something to worry about?? i pooh pick everyday so there is never a vast amount in thier run. they are wormed every 4 weeks. they both eat a good amount and have food ot hand all day so why would she choose to eat her pooh?
any help is always welcome.

happy 2011 to everyone 

[joyfull]

what are you worming them with for it to need to be done every 4 weeks?
Happy New Year to you as well 

[kellym]

we worm them with verm-x pellets its says on the packet every month. do you do something different?

[joyfull]

sadly vermx does not kill worms from a bird that has them, it is only a herbal treatment to help prevent. You need to worm your chickens with flubenvet which is scientifically proven to kill all types of worms including gape worm. If your hens free range you should do this about 3 times a year otherwise twice a year will be sufficient.

[darkbrowneggs]

Generally eating unusual things is a sign of mineral deficiency or boredom, but more likely the first.  Try putting seaweed meal on offer in a small feeder - this should contain the full range of minerals and trace elements needed, and if it is or has become a habit offer a diversion with interesting things to peck at such as a cabbage hung on a string or vegetable peelings.

All the best and Happy New Year
Sue

[kellym]

thanks for that joyfull i have so much to learn still. was told by the place we got them that the verm-x done everything  trip out to get the other stuff tomorrow it is then. i dont think that they are bored they have plenty to keep them amused, i dont know why she has started doing it???

[joyfull]

make sure they are on a good quality feed which should contain all the necessary nutirents they require, some people give extras such as a tonic, poultry spice, garlic, fruit (not citrus), sweetcorn, apple cider vinegar (the horse stuff not the supermarket stuff) and in times of moult some increase the amount of protein. You can give them some mixed corn in the late afternoon and always have oyster shell and some poultry grit available.
I get my flubenvet from my vets but some vets seem to charge an awful lot for this so make sure you shop around - prices can vary an awful lot.

[New shoot]

It's a bit yucky, but it may be your girls have got worms and there were dead worms in the pooh. 

As Joy says Vermx is not a proper wormer and Flubenvet is the stuff to get.  I bought my last lot online from these guys http://www.bestpetpharmacy.co.uk/search_results.asp?sec=134&category=Wormers.  Very fast service and good prices