Hens w/diarrhea

[hurleyhens]

I have a question about my hens. They are 1-1/2 to 2 yrs old Brown Sex Links. I have had them 6 weeks and all has been well. I noticed this evening upon the snow that has been here since Saturday that it looked as if one or all of them have diarrhea. Saturday's weather was so bad that they haven't been out much until today. Could that have something to do with it? They are not lethargic and appetite seems to be good. I cleaned their coop this evening and they all seemed to be curious as usual. Should I be adding something to their diet or other things I should look for? I've been averaging 2-3 eggs per day and today I got 4. I may be overreacting but just want to stay on top of things take care of my girls.

 

[hen-thusiast]

What are they being fed and what type of bedding do you use? How frequent does it look like the diarrhea is? Do you have a picture of the poop to post? That might help as well. Do you know if they have ever been wormed and/or have you checked them for lice/mites?

Really runny poops are common now and then, but if there is a lot of it, it might signify that something else is going on.

 

[hurleyhens]

They are eating laying mash/crumbles every day, a little scratch feed periodically. As a treat I'll take them a couple pieces of light bread. When we have it I'll take them some lettuce, cabbage, or tomatoes. They love that! I don't think they have lice or mites. How do I check for these? I use straw for their bedding.

 

[gritsar]

Are you sure what you are seeing is not just ceceal poo?

http://chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0

Ceceal poo is normal and happens about every six to ten movements. It's sort of a flushing of their system.

 

[gritsar]

To answer your question about checking for lice or mites. Go into the coop at night, after the chickens have gone to roost. Select a chicken and flip it bottoms up. Look around the vent area for anything that looks like flakes of black or red pepper that's sometimes crawling around. Also check in the corners and crevices of your coop for the same thing.

 

[hurleyhens]

It may be, I'm not sure. I'm going to keep a close eye on them. That would be a relief if thats simply what it is.

 

[hen-thusiast]

Based on what you are feeding them, it sounds like what you are seeing is normal. You are probably just noticing it more because of the fresh snow and them being in the coop more. It wouldn't hurt to check them over for lice/mites.

 

[hurleyhens]

What do you use to treat for Lice or mites?

 

[hen-thusiast]

A lot of people use permethrin dust (sometimes marketed under Sevin dust). Since it is external, there is no withdrawal time needed regarding egg consumption. If you go this route, you do have to retreat them in 8-10 days intervals a couple of times (to get the unhatched eggs) and make sure you get the whole coop.

We have a couple in quarantine that had a bad lice problem. We used an ivermectin pour-on for cattle. This was because we wanted to worm them as well and it lasts for a couple of months. If you go that route, there is a withdrawal time on the eggs. Other people on here use Advantage or Frontline (treatments for dogs).