Going to cull Ninja Chicken unless you can help...

[chickensducks&agoose]

She's just not getting any better. She lost a LOT of back feathers this past summer from a bad roo.. and then the other hens were pecky, and she hasn't regrown ANY feathers. if anything, she's losing more. I've had her separated, additional protein, a sweater, and clean straw for months... well, the sweater was a recent addition. Her eyes have been half-closed for the past 6 or 7 weeks, which makes her look super grumpy. She's only a year and a half! Anyway, I let her out today, to mingle, and she was picking up her feet like they were on fire. It was really strange. Now she's sitting in the doorway of the coop, eyes closed, just looking miserable. I feel really bad, but I think I'm going to let DH finish her off, just cause she doesn't seem to be getting any better, and her quality of life is sucky. She still lays the occasional, wrinkly egg, but her vent area is all gross and dirty, she won't preen or anything... any advice? or is it time to let her go?

 

[Chickenmaven]

You have been doing your best for her for a very long time. Six or 7 weeks? That is plenty of time for her to recover from anything, if she was/is gonna - IMHO.

I am sorry. I would cull. Sounds like she is miserable.

 

[NYREDS]

That picking up her feet thing can be a sign of a severe worm infestation which would be consistent with the other symptoms as well. You might try worming her first.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

and I would do that how?

 

[Chris09]

As NYREDS said it could be worms..
You can try this

OR

You you can ues Ivomec Injectable.
You will need a syringe to get ivomec out of the bottle, and you can use it to apply the dosage listed below by holding the birds mouth open, and dripping it into the back of its throat. Another method is to apply the correct dosage to a piece of bread, then feed it to the bird you are treating.
5 to 7 drops orally for adult size birds.
3 to 5 drops orally for bantam size birds

You can get the Ivomec Injectable at most farm supplies store ( Like TSC ) or at a online store like here or here ..

Chris

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

a few Q's... does the ivermectin work a lot better than the cayenne/garlic remedies? Also, how soon after ingestion should she start to be better, if this is indeed the problem? I hate to put her through many more days like this, especially if this might not be the real issue...

 

[tulie13]

As I understand it, the "natural" remedies like garlic and cayenne pepper are mostly to help keep the worm load down, but if she's "got worms" she probably needs something stronger.

 

[Zoey]

Natural remedys just don't really work.

I use Moxidectin, sheep drench in their water. 5 ml medicine to 1 litre of water for 24 hours.

Or you can buy piperazine or Wazine 17. takes care of roundworms only though, and is approved for chickens. The dosage is on the bottle and most feed stores should have .

All eggs should be discarded for 1 week after the treatment.

Does this bird have a respiratory infection ?

 

[NYREDS]

chickensducks&agoose :

a few Q's... does the ivermectin work a lot better than the cayenne/garlic remedies? Also, how soon after ingestion should she start to be better, if this is indeed the problem? I hate to put her through many more days like this, especially if this might not be the real issue...

It's not that Ivermectin works better than cayenne/garlic it's more like it works & they don't. Unless of course you decide to eat her in which case I'd go with the cayenne & garlic.
If it is a heavy worm infestation it will take awhile before you see much improvement if she improves at all. If she's been carrying a severe worm infestation for long enough it could be too late.
You asked for advise. I gave some. If you don't want to try it ok-it'd your bird.​

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

I'm taking your advice! I'm going to hit TSC tomorrow morning, and get some Ivermectin. I, of course, would prefer to not give chemicals to my organically raised chickies, but it doesn't really seem like I have a choice. Anyway, I'm only getting an egg a day anyway. There don't seem to be any respiratory issues... I also have ducks and a goose that sometimes hang around with the chickens when they're all free-ranging together... do I need to deworm them too? Same method?