- Feb 8, 2013
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Don't eat the eggs that they are laying now, or while the deworming is going on?Hey Jo! I was wondering if I may have ran you off, so glad you posted!
I just sent a first time basic worming protocol to Chickadoodles a few minutes ago.
This is only, as I noticed above in your post, that you don't see any worms in poo. Sorry, you know what I mean.
I'm assuming your girls are standard size? If so, start with the 1/2 cc dosage protocol. Do everything the same way, just different dose. I'm not sure how old your birds are, but since they are laying, assuming around 5 months + or better.
I know it's exciting to get the eggs, but please, do the worming protocol now and waste (or incubate-heehee) those eggs. They have a long hot summer ahead of them and the soil will "introduce" itself to them sooner or later. And then you will really get an introduction to worming.
So much better to go ahead and worm ahead of time. Especially in the South. Valbazen has anti-protozoan properties against coccidosis and blackhead. Believe me, you don't even want to have to learn about that if you start raising peeps etc. Even adults chickens can get hit with it, if their is a soil overload, or they have a weekened immune system due to mites, lice, worms, etc.
The wheezing can be from so many things, to include high ammonia, big problem in the south, to foreign objects, to allergies. They usually resolve themselves. If you do end up with a respiratory problem, you will need a different approach. Doesn't sound like that right now. Glad you isolated her though!
The poo bum, well, again could be alot of things, to include diet, to intestinal ebbs and flows. The worming, then coming back with the yogurt, cat food, etc. should help balance all that out, especially if there are some egg wormy things going on.
Meanwhile, if the weather is warm and dry, you could give her a bath. Yes, a bath. Take a 5 gallon bucket, fill it up half way with tepid/warm water, put in a splash or two or Dawn liguid dish detergent, and I usually add 1 tablespoon of Adams Flea Dip/Shampoo.
Take the bird and let/calm it down. Holding it's back to you and securing it at the ankles, slowly lower it into the prepared 5 gallon bucket of water solution.
Let it's feet touch the bottom of the bucket. Then, as it relaxes a little, work the feathers slowly with the water/solution. With gloves if you're squeamish, gently move the water across the tail feathers to loosen debris.
After a few minutes, lift the bird slowly out of the water, let it drain some excess water off while you hold it in the air. Then slowly, place it on the ground. You will need to steady the bird initially, since water logged feathers will cause them to fall over to the ground. When it is ready to take a few steps, release. It will then promptly go roll around in the dirt like a dog and lay in the sun to dry.Helps knock down a few biting critters/flies and loosen up soiled feathers. Makes them pretty and shiny too!
Another thought on worming. . .If you let them range, they will eat earthworms, crickets, slugs, etc. all the things they love! Protein....
And all those things carry worm eggs, especially Gape Worm. Definitely want to worm and keep that killer at bay! Horrible, horrible situation and hard to save a bird that has it, highly contagious, ranks right up their with Cocci!!! With our warm/humid/wet summers, it's fertile ground for worms....
Again, you will want to rotate wormer solutions season to season etc., but we can touch on that later. PM me if you like.
A little hint, on trying to feed them the bread soaked with Valbazen:
It's helpful to have 2 people.
1 person to let the bird in with you, then you administer the dose, could take a bit of time, then the first person lets that bird out and another one in.
Meanwhile, try to have all your pieces of soaked bread on a tray (best covered so birds don't get greedy). 1 piece for each bird. Have a few extra pieces ready on the side, just in case one gets dropped on the ground or one eats an extra piece, etc.
I just tear little pieces off, squirt the med onto it, separated enough so they don't get mushed together. How's that for a technical term.Just trying to not let it be overwhelming or complicated. Besides, I like to laugh and try to get a giggle from other's from time to time.
Or if you see that they are just not going to go for it......then try to prefill enough syringes to get you through a group of birds at a time, doing 1 by 1, as above. Then, if needed, refill those syringes and get the next group dosed.
Hope this helps. Again, just a point of view from a layperson, not a vet or medical representative. Thanks and take good care of yourself.