Flock not acting quite right...

[phatchicken]

Okay, so here's the deal - we have 12 chickens, and about 3 of them are just not quite right. Nothing spectacular, but very subtle and I'm stymied. Loretta Lynn, a three year old Brahma is molting for the second time this year??? Her egg production went from pretty good to zero and often she displays a strange posture. Loretta is eating, but not with the vigor she usually displays. Next is Dolly - a 1.5 year old Leghorn - she lays shell-less eggs ALL the time - also, has funky posture lots of the time. She is eating, running around, good coloring. Then there is Tanya Clucker - a 3 year old Plymouth Barred Rock - her egg production dropped off and she can't "talk" - just squeeks? Eats, runs around, looks healthy. I would appreciate any advice at all. I need some direction. I KNOW something isn't right, just can't put a finger on it.
Thanks So Much - Lynn

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Id check them for mites or worms...

 

[phatchicken]

Okay - I did check for mites - thee are none, but how do I check for worms? Mind you - these are all rescue chickens that DO NOT like to be caught, so it's pretty stressful for them. Any "catching" suggestions?

 

[CrestedGirl]

You might be able to see worms in their poop, other than that you would need to worm them. Wormazole works well, it treats all types of worms. You could try catching them at night when they are roosting, or you could buy a poultry net to catch them. Good luck

 

[chicmom]

I'm thinking maybe worms too. Roundworms is what you can see in the poop sometimes, but not always. Now there are worms that you just can't see. I recommend a product that you can put in the drinking water....that would be the least stressful for them. I think Wazine was the name, and TSC carries it.

If they're molting, it's a perfect time to worm because you can't eat the eggs for 2 weeks.

Good luck!

 

[CrestedGirl]

Wazine only treats round worms, not any other type of worm.

 

[dawg53]

I recommend Valbazen liquid cattle/sheep wormer. It kills all known worms that chickens can get. Dosage is 1/2cc for standard size chickens and 1/4cc for smaller chickens. It is given orally. There is a 14 day egg withdrawal period.

 

[phatchicken]

Thanks everyone, I will commence the worming tomorrow. Would it be prudent to worm all the girls? Can they spread it around? What about decontaminating their hen house?

 

[wren]

Catch them with a big fish net.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Yes, worm all of them at the same time. Worm eggs are shed by excretion onto the soil by the thousands, only to be picked up by another chicken, starting the worms lifecycle all over again. There's nothing you can do about the soil. You can start a worming program that you think best suits your environment. For example; if you live in a cold or mountainous environment, your soil is too cold, not condusive for worm soup... you might only need to worm semi annually or only once a year. I live where it's hot and humid, the soil is moist and warm, worm soup...condusive for worms...I worm quarterly.