4 weeks ago we were getting 8-10 eggs from our 15 Black Australorps. 12 of these were purchased as day old chicks from a hatchery in 8/09, and 3 were hatched by a broody hen in 4/10. For the past month we have been getting about 4 eggs a day; yesterday we got 1. Several environment changes have occurred: a) Took red infrared heat lamp down about 3 weeks ago; last Saturday we put a 75 watt regular bulb in coop to give 3 extra hours of light b) Have been experiencing fairly dramatic weather changes every 3-4 days; it snowed on Tuesday but yesterday (Thursday) it was in the 70's. c) 3 weeks ago, we isolated the 2 "bottom" chickens in the pecking order because they were so torn up by the top hen, d) isolated the top hen about a week ago because she was still harassing/harming the rest of the hens, and e) 4 weeks ago one of our best layers was killed by a neighbor's dog while the flock was free ranging.
They are housed in an 8x8 coop with access to an outside enclosed yard. They seem to be eating and drinking normally. Yesterday, we checked their pelvic bones to see who was laying; only 4 seemed like they might be. In addition, 2 hens have pale combs and wattles, and 3 hens have pasty butts. We gave one of these a bath; afterwards, her poop was very liquidy with very little solid matter.
Specific questions:
1) could this be coccidia, perhaps specifically E. hagani? Gail Damerow's book notes a symptom as watery diarrhea, but does not mention blood in the droppings. She also states that little or no egg production is symptom of coccidia in mature chickens.
2) What do you think is causing the drop in production and/or the symptoms of illness?
3)Can you suggest a course of action?
My daughter, who does most of the work regarding these chickens, would prefer to butcher these chickens, clean up, and start over. Do you think this might be a better course of action than diagnosis and treatment? Also, is it safe to eat these chickens or the few eggs we are getting?
Appreciate any help you can give us.
They are housed in an 8x8 coop with access to an outside enclosed yard. They seem to be eating and drinking normally. Yesterday, we checked their pelvic bones to see who was laying; only 4 seemed like they might be. In addition, 2 hens have pale combs and wattles, and 3 hens have pasty butts. We gave one of these a bath; afterwards, her poop was very liquidy with very little solid matter.
Specific questions:
1) could this be coccidia, perhaps specifically E. hagani? Gail Damerow's book notes a symptom as watery diarrhea, but does not mention blood in the droppings. She also states that little or no egg production is symptom of coccidia in mature chickens.
2) What do you think is causing the drop in production and/or the symptoms of illness?
3)Can you suggest a course of action?
My daughter, who does most of the work regarding these chickens, would prefer to butcher these chickens, clean up, and start over. Do you think this might be a better course of action than diagnosis and treatment? Also, is it safe to eat these chickens or the few eggs we are getting?
Appreciate any help you can give us.
Last edited:
