Hoping for advice from more experienced chicken freaks..

[Riche Bronson]

I have had 'unliscensed' products prescribed to me from the vet. Unliscensed doesn't mean it's unsafe it's just not tested by the relevant department. Some products that have been tested in US and are safe may not be tested elsewhere and can't/shouldn't be used and vice versa. Ivermectin is a strange one in uk. It is used all over in us normally with a 14 day egg withdrawal on it. In Uk if you use it I've heard that you can never have the eggs again?! I know alot of meds given to hens can be used across cows, pigs, sheep etc. but the dosage is something that would have given in correct amounts.

“Ivermectin is a strange one in uk. It is used all over in us normally with a 14 day egg withdrawal on it. In Uk if you use it I've heard that you can never have the eggs again?!“ Yes, exactly! And it’s contradictory information just like that which makes me very reluctant to use anything other than natural remedies on myself or my pets- unless it absolutely can’t be avoided!! The consequences have to outweigh the consequences type of thing! Die now or die later kind of thing- and researching only makes matters worse. Everything out there, there’s something else that contradicts it.. But, garlic appears to be (mostly) safe.

 

[Riche Bronson]

Vets can do a fecal float for worms which it sounds like to me.

Yes, it seems like the only logical explanation to me. Nothing has changed for them- besides the weather- but we didn’t have this issue last winter. I’ve been putting off involving a vet/prescriptions, but find that I’m contemplating it more lately for the simple fact that worms let go can become a deadly situation for them, and nothing else seems to be working. I’m getting down to the “last resort”, no matter how hard I fight it. Running out of other alternatives to try.

 

[CCUK]

My local feed store do a sample pack that you just put a poop in. Send it off and you get the result back in a day or two. Then go from there with however best to treat them. It costs about ten pounds. I'm not sure how you do it in US but it must be something similar.

 

[Howard E]

A few possible causes........first being a parasite load of some type.....worms being only of of many. Lice, mites, and other blood suckers may be pulling them down.

Where are they in relation to a molt? Few things more pathetic looking than birds in molt.

Yet another alternative to consider is they have become junk food junkies. Could it be they are filing up on the treats and goodies to the detriment of a balanced ration? I know mine would if I let em.

 

[happyfrenchman]

So I’ve been doing this hen thing for about 3 years now.. learning new things all the time (thanks to BYC and you guys) but, I’m having a new issue and one I just can’t figure out- even with all the reading I’ve done. So I have 8 laying hens of various breeds. They’re usually very healthy and the right weight- not overweight/not too thin- even through the winter months. This year they’re not. They’re all too thin- I can feel their breast bones sharply, and they just look skinny and underweight. So, for the past 6-8 weeks I’ve been trying various things that I’ve either read here, or that was advised by the “chicken expert” at our local feed store/supplier, and none of it seems to be working- putting any weight on them. (Bumped up the protein in their food, added cracked corn, they get plenty of treats-every day- that seems enough to have at least fattened them up a bit (and hasn’t), have tried all of the home remedy deworming techniques, used ACV, they get yogurt a couple times a week, bottomless food, treat blocks to peck at etc.). I’ve never SEEN anything in their droppings that leads me to believe they have worms- but why so thin all of the sudden? And why all 8 of them (the part that haunts me and makes me wonder what I’m doing wrong)? They’re all laying normally, and otherwise appear healthy and happy.. feathers look great, appetites great, no other symptoms at all- it’s only the weight issue. And it’s driving me NUTS! Don’t particularly want to feed them a chemical dewormer, both because we use/share the eggs and none seem to be labeled for laying hen use- and because I just don’t want to put that stuff in my au natch granola girls if it isn’t 100% necessary- especially since weight is the only thing making me think worms. ??? Also, the natural deworming things I’ve tried produced nothing- no signs of worms in their droppings and no weight gain either. Am I missing something here?!? Is it likely something that’s going to remedy itself when the weather gets nicer and they have all the bugs, and green grass, (and my veggie garden to sneak into) that they can possibly eat again (they “free range” year round btw)? Lost- and feel like I’m neglecting my favorite ladies. :-( Anyone have any ideas or advice? Thanks!

Ma'am.... Are you weighing the birds, or do they just feel boney to you? I would weigh them so that you have a baseline if you did not already. Then you can see what is going on a little clearer. It is hard to just feel a chicken because they are (sometimes) surprisingly more boney than you might have thought by looking at them.... the weight is more solid evidence. If the feathering is good, the appetite is good, their running around normally etc.... the eye is clear, all mucus membranes look pink....etc.... they are probably alright. You would be able to see a worm problem with a test, which would then give you an idea what to use (organic or not). It sounds to me like you might be alright already although routine worming is generally a good practice,

 

[Riche Bronson]

No I haven’t weighed them, but this isn’t the normal chicken/owner relationship over here.. They’re lap chickens..they jump up and nap on our laps etc. so we’re quite used to how they should feel versus how they do feel. They’re definitely healthy in every other way.. no other issues to report.. so it’s either a worm issue or it’s that there’s not much to forage since it’s been winter. They’re eating more food to make up for that, but not maintaining their weight. And don’t get me wrong, they’re not like scary thin- like I wouldn’t want animal control to see them for fear of abuse charges- but they are definitely underweight. I think I’m just going to hit them hard with the natural wormer (maybe I’ll buy the Strike 3 pellets, rather than chopping up my own garlic/pumpkin seeds etc.) and see how that goes for a couple weeks and if there’s no improvement I’ll break down and buy some chemical wormer. Wouldn’t want it to progress to the point of one of them getting sick or dying. Thanks for your input!

 

[happyfrenchman]

I understand. It is the end of winter biologically. I know mine eat noticeably less food during the winter when egg production drops off... I have never weighed them to see if their weight comes up again when they start producing? I would think it would but I have never tried it. My chickens are not fond of being handled and it would be traumatic to herd them all up and start weighing. But if yours are tame you might start just because knowing a good weight is a handy thing to know if you are able to check it. I never go by weight but it is a good way to go if you can get the numbers without an ordeal. I usually assess by feather and behavior. Good luck.

 

[Riche Bronson]

Thanks! That’s good advice and I think I’ll take you up on it! I’ll do it now/soon while they’re still thin, and then again in the summer once they’ve had some time to fatten up! (Or after worming, whichever happens first..)

 

[Roosters110]

Following this.
A hen of mine who I’m gonna say is at the most eight or nine years is very thin all of a sudden.Her eyes are also very droopy,she definitely looks old.

 

[Riche Bronson]

Following this.
A hen of mine who I’m gonna say is at the most eight or nine years is very thin all of a sudden.Her eyes are also very droopy,she definitely looks old.

Aw I don’t even want to think about my girls getting old. We’re dealing with that issue now with an English Bulldog- who grew up with our kids. She’s starting to look rough, can’t hear well.. and I’m just trying to prepare myself for the heartache and drama that’s soon to ensue. DREAD this part of sharing our lives with pets. No fun. Hope your girl hangs in there for you- healthy and happy til the gentle end! I lost a tiny little OEB who thought she was a dog- or a person. She snuck inside the house any time she could and laid her eggs in my house plant. She chased me around while I mowed the lawn trying to jump on the lawn mower to hang with me. When I lost her I went into a dam funk for 2 weeks that I wasn’t sure I was gonna EVER pull out of! I kept telling myself- all this for a CHICKEN?! Yes. Love- is love.