[neil9797]

Hi, one of my hens is behaving slightly differently to usual so I'm concerned she may be ill. Thing is I'm new to this and not sure what the 'normal' range is. Here is what I have observed, I'd appreciate your opinions. I've done some prodding and feeling on her but again, I don't know what is normal:

age: less than 30 weeks, been laying for about a month
hybrid: blue
laying: still laying, vent pink and healthy, no obvious lumps in tummy
behaviour: sitting down a lot and not mixing with the other two as much as normal (2 days); odd 'retching' motion with her neck and opening her beak tho' not all the time (2 days)
eating: off food, crop seems empty (but I'm no expert), not even tempted by corn! (1 day)
eyes: OK
nostrils: OK
underwings: no sign of lice or mites

Thanks, N

[Aunt Sally]

Good observations Neil.

Have your hens been wormed   (Use flubenvet at double dose for gapeworm)

Gape worm can cause neck stretching and gaping.  They may cause her comb to be a bit blue too.

Is she warm under her wings - compare with another bird ?  If she is warm she may have an infection in the tum.

Shat are her poos like ?

[neil9797]

Thanks Aunt Sally, they have not been wormed yet - I've only had them since the last week of March! Would they need doing so soon - they came from a reputable supplier? I'll do the other checks you suggest and get back to you. Rgds, N

[dizzylizzie]

Think id worm them all anyway, then just keep an eye on the quiet one see if she starts dispaying other symptoms

[Aunt Sally]

Definitly worm them.  They will have been living on land at the breeders where many other chooks have been ranging (and pooping)  probably for years 

[neil9797]

OK, I'll pop to Scats and get some Flubenvet in the morning. Would a sugary drink help give her some energy for this evening? And what about the eggs, are they safe to eat while she is infected? Thanks, N

[Aunt Sally]

Some sugary water for her would be nice.  Eggs will be fine

[neil9797]

Gordon Bennett! Flubenvet £££££££££££££!

[Aunt Sally]

There are overheads to keeping any animal. 

You either keep them well and healthy or badly and sick 

[grumpydad]

if you think flubenvet is bad, you want to see my vet and medication bills, i could have bought eggs for the rest of my life on what i have spent in the last 12 months, be warned

[lisa80]

we bought our first lot of flubenvet from c.w.g and paid just short of £20 hubby recently bought same tub from sapps for £15.50  always good to look around but didnt think prices would vary so

[neil9797]

When should I expect to see some improvement? It's only day 2 I know but there doesn't seem to be any difference at all. Thanks, N

[neil9797]

OK, day 3 and Iar seems to be on the mend - less severe gaping and she broke into a gallop when I came out with some (Flubenvet-laced) treats 

Some final questions I'd appreciate guidance on please:
(1) if there are still some medicated pellets left over after seven days, should I throw them away or let the ladies finish them off?
(2) how often should I repeat the treatment? I have read that gapeworm is caught from pigeons, sparrows and earth-worms, all of which are abundant in my garden. Since the life-cycle of gapeworm is about three weeks, should I repeat the treatment that often, i.e. they'll be on medication almost permanently!

Thanks, N

[grumpydad]

i would let them finish the pellets personally.

it has been mentioned on the site about worming every 6 months, which is what mine generally get

[Aunt Sally]

I've not kept up with this thread neil but how have you given the flubenvet, in pellets or in treats ?