[LilySara]

Hi, I have 6 ex-battery hens - unsure exactly how old they are. we got them in January.  I noticed this afternoon one of them has a purplish comb and wattles and is gaping. 
 
She's looking a little sorry for herself and seems less lively than normal.  She is eating but was definitely less interested in scrabbling for the treats my husband gave them today..

It looks to me like gapeworm, but I've heard that's rare in the UK, and is more likely to be canker.  How can I tell the difference? 

I've added apple cider vinegar to their drinker (as I do every few days as a tonic and preventative). I've been recommended to get flubenvet, but it seems very difficult to get hold of without veterinary prescription, and we don't have a local chicken-friendly vet.  I got panacur to use as a wormer last time one of my hens became ill (sadly she died, but we've been using it as a regular wormer since then. They were due for another treatment soon anyway).  I'd like to use flubenvet as I've read that it's better and there's no egg withdrawal period as there is with panacur.  Is there anywhere North Manchester or online that I can get hold if it? 

In the meantime, I've dosed a second drinker with panacur, and am hoping that does the trick.

[splash101]

You can buy flubenvet online see the link. When i last bought it it wasnt on prescription and they delivered the next working day

http://www.medicanimal.com/product/~product_id=10127

[LilySara]

Thank you for the link.  I'm definitely bookmarking that one!

I've also found layers pellets that have flubenvet mixed in already, which seems quite handy.  The website says that it's a product that can only be administered under veterinary supervision, and to give a phone number I can be contacted on when ordering for further details of my hens' needs, which I've done, but no-one's got in touch, so I'm hoping they're just going to deliver it :-) 

[Casey76]

Purple-ish comb and wattles along with the gaping can also indicate heart trouble.

However it is always safer to worm than not.  Flubenvet is a very safe treatment for hens.

[kegs]

Or if it's more convenient you can get it already added to Marriages feed, if you have a supplier near you.  (I get mine on line from www.farmandpetplace.co.uk)

[Sassy]

Flubenvet is currently in short supply/not available and I cannot get it online or through local animal health stores.

[LilySara]

I ordered the Heygates feed with flubenvet added to it from vale gardens online shop yesterday afternoon.

http://www.valegardens.co.uk/acatalog/Heygates_Poultry___Game_Bird_Feed.html#a18647

Sadly, Daphne died yesterday evening.  I went out to check on them at dusk.  the others had all gone to bed already, but Daphne was still out, still not looking well at all.  I thought she might be better off inside overnight and had gone in to try to find a box.  My daughter went out to keep an eye on things, and came running in to tell me she thought something was wrong.  I went out to see, and found her dead under the little shelter we'd made out of our original henhouse.   

Thank you for your help everyone, I'm sorry I don't have better news to share. 

[jhub]

So sorry to hear your news, only chicken keepers understand the impact the loss of one of our pets has. Daphne had a wonderful life with you.

[andy46]

I have just bought flubenvet and layers pellets on line from happy chicks. (sorry cant post link not a computer buff) but they are in poulton le fylde.

[kegs]

That's such a shame LilySara, and for your daughter too.