elachicks
Hatching
- Aug 11, 2015
- 1
- 1
- 9
Good Morning I am a new member and first time owner of ten 1.5 years old hens (three RIR, three Speckled Sussex and four Plymouth Rock). I raise them in very large day run 65’ by 50’ that is attached to night/safe run 25” by 10” and a coop. They eat Nature’ Best Organic layers pellets and the extra food that we grow in the summer (cucumbers, kale, cantaloupes, watermelons, tomatoes, corn) and occasionally food scraps that we have. I like to raise happy chickens that will lay lots of eggs. My Coop gets clean every day and I examine droppings on the poop board daily. Despite doing lots of research beforehand on how to raise chickens I encountered several problems and was forced to learn hard way. While searching internet I found lot of good information on this forum. Having chickens was my long time dream and since I retired two years ago started pressuring my dreams. I also have four cats; one of them is 16 years old and has diabetes. I love to garden and live healthy and simple life. Last summer I suddenly lost one of my hens from coccidia, fortunately I was able to save other 10 hens. It was coccidia maxima that in my case didn’t produce bloody diarrhea but brownish liquid droppings. After treatment with Amprolium they all recovered and are good layers. There was molting, some feather pecking, several soft shell eggs but nothing major until recently. One morning I noticed bit brownish liquid with droppings on the poop board. I assumed that it was due to very hot weather we had. Next morning it was more watery droppings so I scooped it and had the fecal flotation test done. It was coccidia I was very suppressed because I was made aware that after last year’s outbreak they will have resistance to maxima strain (no bloody droppings). Again I treated entire flock with Amprolium for five days and followed with maintenance dose for additional two weeks. The improvement in droppings was next day and egg production improved. During that time one of my hens was broody for more than three weeks we would remove her from the nesting box as often as we could so she would eat and drink. One morning my broody hen was in the nesting box with her head tilted up and was moving it from side to side. I immediately isolated her and observed her closely; she would repeat it occasionally and stopped. Next day she developed extreme diarrhea and next day it was more diarrhea. At the same time she stopped broodiness and head thing and was eating well and drinking. I took her specimen for fecal flotation and it was negative. I give her plain yogurt and added vitamin/probiotic to water and make sure that I have antibiotics for her if she is not improved soon. This morning her droppings are much better so I will continue with yogurt and vitamin/probiotic. Is it safe for her to return to the flock if her droppings are normal? Is it possible that hormonal change (broodiness) caused the abnormal droppings and she is fine now? Yesterday I went to give treats (cantaloupe) to girls; they loved it except my one RIR was just standing not moving and wasn’t interested in food. I observed her for a while and took her in to examine her. Her bottom was missing lot of feather and it was red and enlarged. I gave her nice soak in warm water and little Epson salt. I checked her vent and felt an egg. I separated her and in fifteen minutes she laid an egg but she was still standing in one place. Half an hour later she laid another egg this time soft shelled but she was walking around and was eating and drinking. This morning she continued improving but her bottom looks red. I don’t know if she is OK? I welcome any comments Elizabeth and Girls
Elizabeth 
