[toasttopper]

We have 3 got three ex-batts that now live the life of luxury in our rural garden. We have had them for about four months, and they seem to be thriving, with none of the re-homing problems we feared.

They are in the run until about 3pm until we get home from work, and then have the freedom of the garden until about 7:30pm. They eat layers pellets, with grit provided, and an afternoon treat of mixed corn. Once a month, I treat their drinking water with Verm-X. The house is cleaned weekly with Poultry Shield, with fresh straw bedding and newspaper. I use dust extracted sawdust in the nest box with a sprinkle of louse powder, again, changed every week.

We expected reduced egg production, but only get about three a week. Should we be getting a few more? Of the ones we do get, they usually have lots of blood vessels inside. Are these okay to eat? Finally, the poo. Runny nasty poo, most of the time and from all three. Even the dog turns his nose up at these, and it can’t be right?

Any advice and opinions and suggestions greatly received.

[nicchick]

Hi, try worming with Flubenvet. There's loads of info on this site just type worming into search.
Before you say that you have wormed them with Verm-x ... it's not a wormer, it's a preventative more like a tonic. I speak from experience, we thought they couldn't possibly have worms and they did. It's relatively cheap, easy to administer and you can still eat the eggs. You will have happier hens and more eggs. Hope this is of use, Nic.

[Foxy]

try apple cider vinegar (from horsey places or feed stores) this will help the chooks digestive system and keep it healthy. It is usual for a few poos to be a bit smelly -these are called "ceacal" poos and are quite normal. If the chooks behaviour appears unchanged and they are eating,drinking scratching around I suspect they are fine, worming with flubenvent is a good idea. Re: the eggs, it could be a hen is just tired of laying, and her laying mechanics are a bit awry and she may have a little broken blood vessel, nothing to worry about, egg laying will now greatly reduce and you will find in a month or so they will start to moult anyway.

[Aunt Sally]

All of the above 

PLUS Avipro Plus for a probiotic and viatmin tonic excellent for improving the gut flora.  Bio yoghurt is a cheap alternative 

[toasttopper]

Thanks for your help - I will give Flubenvet a try, and let you know how it goes. What about the blood in the eggs? After saving up 5 eggs for some baking, 4 had blood vessels inside. The shells were different, so I guess they were from more than one of our chooks? Any ideas?

[Kate and her Ducks]

Yes, ignore the meat spots (the bits of blood in the eggs). They can still be eaten.