help please

[GGBEAR]

My friend has 2 hens and mentioned to me that they both had diarrhea the other day and that had been the case fir some time I asked if he had wormed he said no so I told him to do so.
Today he mentioned to my husband that both hens had stopped laying eggs around 2 weeks ago and both their combs have gone dark grey.
I don't know what to ask him or suggest all 5 of mine are still laying and all bright red combs and wattles, can anyone give me some advice or him as I'm concerned this is not right?

 

[Eggcessive]

How old are the chickens--are they grown hens? Dark grey combs sound like they are very ill, and may not be getting enough oxygen to the heart. Worms, coccidiosis, enteritis, and vent gleet are some reasons for diarrhea. Older hens may have internal laying or egg yolk peritonits making them ill, but if they were laying 2 weeks ago, it's probably not that. I would recommend worming with Flubenvet, Valbazen, or Levamisole, depending on where you live. Check them for lice and mites, since mites can cause anemia. Probiotics or a small amount of buttermilk in the diet may help with diarrhea and immunity. I would also find out what type of feed they are eating. A vet is always a good thing to try if available, but here are some links to read about vent gleet, cocci, and enteritis:
http://www.tillysnest.com/2012/12/vent-gleet-prevention-and-treatment.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken.html
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/101/necrotic-enteritis

 

[GGBEAR]

hi thanks for reply as far as I know they are roughly 2 years old I know he is feeding them pumpkin as I told him about this during Halloween I just hope he is feeding them theIR proper food also!
I am still waiting for mine to come into moult no signs as of yet though. We live in the UK Yorkshire

 

[cafarmgirl]

So is he using pumpkin as a means of deworming? If so he needs to get some actual dewormer and use that. Eggcessive listed those already so I won't repeat, make sure to do a repeat dose in 10 days.

 

[GGBEAR]

Past info over combs grey/purple