[Holly Carney]

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.

[Aidy]

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?

[bantam novice]

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 

[Holly Carney]

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!

[Aunt Sally]

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.

[Holly Carney]

I mean no sign of eggs in their stools!

[Aunt Sally]

Do you check a stool prep under a microscope ?

[Holly Carney]

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.

[Aunt Sally]

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.

[Holly Carney]

and no temperature, will have a look under the scope and let you know!

[Aunt Sally]

They will look like this:

[Holly Carney]

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.

[Holly Carney]

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!

[Aidy]

Dont forget with coxoid there is a 28 day egg withdrawal period and its important to get it in them soon as. Good luck.

[Holly Carney]

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!