Help! What would you do? Just lost one hen and now another could be sick!

[ChickenCanoe]

Good advice so far.
The fecal sample will also tell what kind of worms (if any) they are overburdened with. That will tell you the type of anthelmintic to use. Otherwise, you could be worming for something they don't have and they'll still have worms.

 

[PeachygirlGA]

Thanks. The only symptom I see right now is the wet looking behind feathers and pooping a lot. Some solid some runny, normal color. I don't know what the crop is do I need to figure that out! She is eating and drinking fine, not fluffed up or straining.

 

[PeachygirlGA]

Ok, so now I'm wondering if I was over reacting a bit yesterday. Betty seems just fine today, not much poop on her rear at all. She is eating, running around with the others and no other symptoms. I'm going to keep a close watch on them for sure but I think maybe we are ok at this point. Still gonna do a thorough cleaning of the coop this weekend and put new shavings in. Already cleaned out the water dishes and put ACV in it. Bought some diatamaceous earth to put in their feed and since TSC was out of the worming meds that might have been a good thing. I have never wormed before and really don't want to if there isn't a problem. Thanks for your replies and I'll let you know if anything else arises because you know I will have questions!!! lol!

 

[cafarmgirl]

Ok, so now I'm wondering if I was over reacting a bit yesterday. Betty seems just fine today, not much poop on her rear at all. She is eating, running around with the others and no other symptoms. I'm going to keep a close watch on them for sure but I think maybe we are ok at this point. Still gonna do a thorough cleaning of the coop this weekend and put new shavings in. Already cleaned out the water dishes and put ACV in it. Bought some diatamaceous earth to put in their feed and since TSC was out of the worming meds that might have been a good thing. I have never wormed before and really don't want to if there isn't a problem. Thanks for your replies and I'll let you know if anything else arises because you know I will have questions!!! lol!

DE will not deworm them. If you do not want to deworm them then I would highly suggest getting several fecal samples tested. If they do have worms and you wait until you see raggedy looking, sick, thin birds, by then they have a heavy parasite load and all the internal damage that goes along with it. Worms are far worse for chickens then dewormers! Chickens are highly prone to worms just due to their natural life style so in the absence of deworming regular fecal testing is a wise choice.

 

[casportpony]

I would return the DE and get some Safeguard for goats.

-Kathy

 

[PeachygirlGA]

Thanks for the replies. I'm still debating on whether or not to deworm. How do you use medicine for goats on chickens?
I just really don't want to deal with chemicals but I will if they are sick. I really don't want to lose another one. Who would I get to check the stool samples?

 

[casportpony]

Thanks for the replies. I'm still debating on whether or not to deworm. How do you use medicine for goats on chickens?
I just really don't want to deal with chemicals but I will if they are sick. I really don't want to lose another one. Who would I get to check the stool samples?

It's just the label that says it's for goats. The exact same stuff is used in kittens, puppies, foals, reptiles, canaries, etc. Any vet can do a fecal float.

-Kathy

 

[cafarmgirl]

I really like the liquid Safeguard for goats, makes it very easy to measure and administer. Same with Valbazen since it's a liquid also. Paste works fine too I just seem to have a harder time giving it.

 

[casportpony]

I have a liter of the cattle version, 'cause worming one large turkey at 50mg/kg takes about 8ml! Or 40 peafowl, depending on their size, they get 1.5 to 3ml each. Paste per dose is too expensive, and I agree, not as easy to work with.

-Kathy

 

[PeachygirlGA]

So how would I know how much to give them and can I just put it in their water? Because there is no way I'm holding down the rooster to give him medicine! lol! He scares me.