California - Northern

[h2oratt]

I have one barred rock hen who isn't laying good strong eggs. My hens are on layer pellets and oyster shell. They only get about a cup of scratch between four hens once a day. Anything else I can try?

 

[ronott1]

I have one barred rock hen who isn't laying good strong eggs. My hens are on layer pellets and oyster shell. They only get about a cup of scratch between four hens once a day. Anything else I can try?

Lice, mites and worms cause weak egg shells. Check for them. A vet can do a float test for worms. You can check at night for mites on the vent.

After treating for parasites or finding that they are clear:

Give them calf manna--Instructions for feeding chickens is on the bag
Grit if they do not get some. Do not rely only on what they can get from the dirt
vitamins in the water two days a week

If the shells are not tougher in a couple of weeks, look into calcium and vitamin d supplements or add a half a cup per feeder of food grade Diatomaceous earth to their feed for several days a week. Sometimes a hen will not eat calcium free choice. The DE is an easily assimilated calcium source--you are not feeding it to them as a worm medicine since it will not work that way.(DE kill by breaking the membranes which allows the bug to die of dehydration that just cannot happen inside a chicken--it's kind of wet in there).

 

[Chrysolinsbirds]

i. dont think theres anyone that eill do that. we dont even have an avvian vet here. i have two hens gargling and a bit of swelling in face along with bubbles/nasal discharge and the other has less bubbles and less swelling without gargling

I'm sorry but I would cull them and bleach everything to prevent the spread. Just saying it's more upsetting to nurse them and then they die =/ but if I can't recognize the illness and effectively treat it I would rather not risk the rest of my birds to an unknown, especially if you have all ready lost some.
I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this =(

 

[Chrysolinsbirds]

I have one barred rock hen who isn't laying good strong eggs. My hens are on layer pellets and oyster shell. They only get about a cup of scratch between four hens once a day. Anything else I can try?

I would check for critters and give them.a good dusting.. maybe lay off the scratch a bit to a couple times a week, maybe vary they're treats a bit. Mine were on straight layer pellets and I had to switch to flock raiser because the shells were getting hard to get out of. But mine have a field to forage in on a rotating schedule so they have access to all sorts of goodies =) we have wild grains every where carried from the fields on th wind =)

 

[chrissyr]

On a brighter note, my little MF Bantam Cochin's hen's daughter just won Best of Breed and Best of Show at the Healdsburg 4-H Fair! Here's Cleo, photo sent to me by the 4-H'er's aunt, who is a neighbor and bought this pullet for her niece to show. Less-than-stellar photo, but you get the drift! Here's Lucy, one of my hens, with Cleo (the Big Winner) as a chipmunk chick. All parties are very happy!

beautiful!

 

[chrissyr]

Who/where can i call to find info on the blood draws?

I googled th cdfa and got this. According to Kathy they may have a vet that goes around your area. My vet isn't avian. He's just one that's been around and is willing to help. If their swelling and gurgling I would reach for an antibiotic. Not sure which one for those symptoms. Perhaps someone here or in illnesses can help. I think Tylan is good for respiratory but not sure about what else. The same keflex and amoxicillin for people is safe for chickens as well. http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Field_District_Offices.html

 

[dldolan]

beautiful!

Thanks chrissyr and ronnott1! 4-H wins, but still I am pleased!

 

[h2oratt]

Thank you for the suggestions on my hens. So I would go out at night to check for mites?

 

[ronott1]

Thank you for the suggestions on my hens. So I would go out at night to check for mites?

Yes, with a flash light, look for little brownish specks that move near the vent.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

Omelette's prolapse is reduced after 4 days of treatment, but it's still there (I think she actually didn't have vent gleet, but I'm continuing to treat for that because I figure it can't hurt... I just leapt at that diagnosis 'cause I didn't want it to be a prolapse...) Is it a lost cause, or should I keep going at least the full week?

In other news Frieda may be going broody again what with the 3-week-olds being in the getting-to-know-you pen in the coop with their heating pad cave

If she does end up broody, maybe I can graft those chicks I'll be getting in just over 3 weeks onto her (since she'd just end up abandoning eggs if I picked those up, instead, since she's shown that she doesn't sit for more than 5 weeks if nothing hatches because I gave her eggs too late). Worth a shot anyway--if it doesn't work, the big chicks should be fully feathered by the time I'd need their heating pad for new chicks.