[kelvinr2d2]

Hello,
We have three ex battery hens which we collected in September. All was well, coming on healthly - now one of them is very sad looking, her comb has gone very pale, she has dropped a lot in weight and she is a bit unsteady - there is also greenish poop about and her bottom is quite mucky. I suspect worms and have been putting verm-x in their water - but it seems to me that she is avoiding drinking this and is taking water from puddles etc.. Is there another wormer that I can use - I understand that Flubenvet is good, however she seems to be reluctant to take her normal treats and may not take this. Is there anything that can be given directly. If so, how easy is it to administer straight to the hen (what would I do?). Also, is it likely she may die? The other two seem perfectly fine and I would hate for this to spread.
Thanks for looking at this post - please help a concerned newbie!!!
kelvin

[Foxy]

Hi

I doubt that she would go down hill so quickly if it were worms, I wonder if she has some form of enteritis that she has picked up (digestive bacteria)
Or it could be a crop problem -what does her crop feel like first thing? It should be more or less empty.

[kelvinr2d2]

Hi Foxy,
Her crop is pretty empty in the morning.  What should I do if it was enteritis?
Kelvin

[Vickie & Richard]

To get Verm-x into my girls in put it in milky bread, they usually eat it.  I had the same problem with the water trick.

[kelvinr2d2]

Hi - I have tried bread but she wont take it.  I have just been told on another forum to use a dosing syringe and wrap her in a blanket to administer verm-x.

[Vember]

I personally wouldn't use Verm X - I think its a preventative rather than cure :?

I have in the past mixed a bit of oil in with their afternoon corn then sprinkle on the Flubenvet  and mix up,  the oil helps it coat the corn

have you had a look through our worming info here :

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=4348

Sarah

[Foxy]

Sorry there are a few things it could be only a vet would be able to tell. If she has dropped a lot of weight the greenish droppings would be a sign that she is not eating much. Plus the pale droppy comb.
Enteritis is an inflamation of the gut caused by bacteria and would  probably be treated with antibiotics.
At the end of the day she just may pass away, ex bats just do that sometimes   saying that so does any chicken!)
Keep her warm and comfortable try to get her to eat and drink sometimes using a syringe helps. Perhaps bring her in if its cold. If she is still around in the morning you could try a local poultry friendly vet. This is just my opinion -I am sure someone else will come along soon -like buses us lot!

[kelvinr2d2]

Thanks vember,
Interesting advice on verm-x.  Thanks for link - I had missed that before!

[kelvinr2d2]

Thanks Foxy,
The 'not eating much' diagnosis could well be right - she does peck at the food when I let them out in the mornings - but then I'm off to work and don't get home much before dusk, so don't really know what she has had. I will get a syringe and try and get some water into her and food - they are on layers mash at the moment as recommended by the rehoming people - what could I administer with a syringe - I guess I could try something like cold porridge?

[Foxy]

No worries, agree totally with Vember though, I dont use Vermex -it wont do any harm the ingredients suggest more of a herbal tonic.
A good tip form Aunt Sally is to put a pinch of flubenvent on a grape -makes it easy with just a few birds!
Your hen does sound poorly, greenish poo can indicate not much passing through her gut and if she is weak her appetite will be poor. Try her with a little cold porridge -anything really (nothing processed tho) dont syringe food just coax her with little bits. She might like warmed layers mash with a little natural yogurt perhaps.
Good luck!

[kelvinr2d2]

Thanks for your comments and help - we lost her on Friday morning.