[Grumpy Witch]

Hello all

We have been watching and using the advice of the forum for a while now which has certainly helped with our understanding of keeping chickens. We took the plunge and now have three ex bats for  a couple of weeks now and everything, touch wood, is  pretty well. Even Ruby our delinquent cocker spaniel is getting used to them!

We saw a recent posting re "coughs" which took our interest as I was sure one of the hens had a little cough. Have monitored her over the weekend and I came home tonight to find "him in doors" had popped her to the vet.

We have been told she may have Gapeworm which is a parasite that lives in the throat and like us humans, when we get a tickle we have to cough, so does she!

We have some medicine and have been advised to give it to all three just in case. It is called Panacur and we will let you know how things go...

In the meantime, we love reading all the stories and have learn't lots.

I have to say as "first timers" they certainly are a pleasure to have!

[Aunt Sally]

Hi GW

If you've only had the birds for a couple of weeks then it's not really likely that they have contracted gape worm in that time.  I don't think they would have had it before their release.

Vets will give panacur for worms as they don't keep any poultry wormer in stock, but you must  withholding eggs until 10 days after the last dose of panacur.

Do keep a good eye on her for any other sign of respiratory problem incase it's not gape worm  :!:

[nnbreeder]

Many times too they will make a sneezing noise while they are eating, most likely it is to clear dust from the throat.
Gapeworm is often found because the bird will stretch it's neck out and look like it is yawning. Gape worm is often picked up from earthworms and it can also be transmitted from the droppings of infected birds.
 Many resp. infections will appear first as bubbles in the corner of the eyes or swelling of the face around the eyes. Often times you can listen as they sleep at night for heavy labored breathing or a rattling sound as they breathe.

[Grumpy Witch]

We finished administering the medicine and touch wood, Cough has lost her cough!

She is eating and drinking well, loves her grapes and mealworms. We took on board Aunt Sally's advice so have not been eating the eggs but what a shame we have 20!! to dispose off and still another 5 days of laying to go to before we can.

Will they stop laying soon~ I just want them to have a rest!!  

[babe]

so glad cough is all better. you may be surprised and still have a few eggies right through winter.

i usually get 1 or 2 a day without fail.

[Bodger]

Send the eggs to me, I'll eat them.

Seriously, the amount of wormer that the egg is likely to contain is infintestimal. If it doesn't hurt a 5lb chicken, its hardly likely to damage a 10 stone human. Its only the pharmaceutical company having to cover  itself but then I've nothing to lose but my worms.

My advice has nothing scientific to back it up. :oops:

[Aunt Sally]

Seriously, the amount of wormer that the egg is likely to contain is infintestimal. If it doesn't hurt a 5lb chicken, its hardly likely to damage a 10 stone human. Its only the pharmaceutical company having to cover  itself

And the advice I give is to cover this site as it's the advice given by vets

[Bodger]

But humans aren't usually treated by vets. :roll:

I'll go to the naughty step now.