I know I could search the forums for this answer, but we're feeling really overwhelmed.
We have 4 hens. 2 Buffs and 2 Easter Eggers. They are almost one and have been laying since July/August. We live in Maine and this time of year is cold and dark. Our buffs have continued to lay and recently one of our Easter Eggers has resumed laying (both stopped about the beginning of November.) The EE who is laying became ill about two weeks ago. I went out to the coop and she wasn't walking. She would try to, but would collapse. We started treating her as if she were egg bound and after 12 hours inside, she laid an egg! She still wasn't walking though and after speaking with the farmer who we purchased the chickens from, he thought it could be a vitamin D deficiency (it had been frigid for almost two weeks and they were spending more time in their coop with only LED lights.) We purchased a multivitamin and within 24 hours she was standing and within 36 hours she was back with her sisters. She has been laying almost daily.
Now, her sister, our other EE is losing weight rather quickly. She is eating with zeal and her energy doesn't seem to be any different, but we're noticing a drastic drop in weight. She isn't lowest on the pecking order. We feed an organic layer feed, crushed oysters, and grit. They get treats like scrambled eggs, fresh produce, oatmeal, and seeds.
I have looked for parasites and see nothing - no mites, lice, or signs of worms in droppings. It has also been below freezing except for a few days this year. Could this be worms? If not, what could it be? Could this be related to the other EE's mysterious illness? Any information would be helpful. We love these chickens so much.
We have 4 hens. 2 Buffs and 2 Easter Eggers. They are almost one and have been laying since July/August. We live in Maine and this time of year is cold and dark. Our buffs have continued to lay and recently one of our Easter Eggers has resumed laying (both stopped about the beginning of November.) The EE who is laying became ill about two weeks ago. I went out to the coop and she wasn't walking. She would try to, but would collapse. We started treating her as if she were egg bound and after 12 hours inside, she laid an egg! She still wasn't walking though and after speaking with the farmer who we purchased the chickens from, he thought it could be a vitamin D deficiency (it had been frigid for almost two weeks and they were spending more time in their coop with only LED lights.) We purchased a multivitamin and within 24 hours she was standing and within 36 hours she was back with her sisters. She has been laying almost daily.
Now, her sister, our other EE is losing weight rather quickly. She is eating with zeal and her energy doesn't seem to be any different, but we're noticing a drastic drop in weight. She isn't lowest on the pecking order. We feed an organic layer feed, crushed oysters, and grit. They get treats like scrambled eggs, fresh produce, oatmeal, and seeds.
I have looked for parasites and see nothing - no mites, lice, or signs of worms in droppings. It has also been below freezing except for a few days this year. Could this be worms? If not, what could it be? Could this be related to the other EE's mysterious illness? Any information would be helpful. We love these chickens so much.
