MumOfManyHens
Hatching
- Jul 3, 2021
- 3
- 1
- 6
Hi everyone,
I'm new here. Was hoping to start with something more cheerful but here goes.
We have a flock of eight hens. Our half blind Tilly died a month ago after having been unwell for around 3 weeks. Now Klaara, 4 year old Plymouth rock who has always been the fattest and strongest of the flock is quite poorly. She spends most of her days motionless, tail lowered, breathing heavily, eyes closed. Does a little bit of walking about and pecking. Has lost a lot of weight, isn't eating or drinking very much. Not even her usual treats!
The whole flock has pretty much stopped laying. Some days there is one egg with a shell so thin it cracks when you touch it. I found out that hubby had stopped putting grit in with their food and hasn't been putting the shell strengthening extras in with the layers pellets. He also made them new nesting boxes after two were broody and all were getting frustrated as they normally all took turns in one box. Now they have 3 boxes and nobody laying.
We thoughts it was egg yolk peritonitis but her tummy is soft and not swollen. Her bum is a bit mucky but not too bad. Poos normal although some days they have been green.
Our neighbour looked through her feathers and said she had no mites. But yesterday I had a proper look myself as she is constantly cleaning herself and found this in the picture. Anyone know what this is? Depluming mites? How would I sort this and could it be the cause of her being so unwell and off her food and maybe the cause of the other hens death?
I'd be super grateful for any replies!!
I'm new here. Was hoping to start with something more cheerful but here goes.
We have a flock of eight hens. Our half blind Tilly died a month ago after having been unwell for around 3 weeks. Now Klaara, 4 year old Plymouth rock who has always been the fattest and strongest of the flock is quite poorly. She spends most of her days motionless, tail lowered, breathing heavily, eyes closed. Does a little bit of walking about and pecking. Has lost a lot of weight, isn't eating or drinking very much. Not even her usual treats!
The whole flock has pretty much stopped laying. Some days there is one egg with a shell so thin it cracks when you touch it. I found out that hubby had stopped putting grit in with their food and hasn't been putting the shell strengthening extras in with the layers pellets. He also made them new nesting boxes after two were broody and all were getting frustrated as they normally all took turns in one box. Now they have 3 boxes and nobody laying.
We thoughts it was egg yolk peritonitis but her tummy is soft and not swollen. Her bum is a bit mucky but not too bad. Poos normal although some days they have been green.
Our neighbour looked through her feathers and said she had no mites. But yesterday I had a proper look myself as she is constantly cleaning herself and found this in the picture. Anyone know what this is? Depluming mites? How would I sort this and could it be the cause of her being so unwell and off her food and maybe the cause of the other hens death?
I'd be super grateful for any replies!!