Hoping for advice from more experienced chicken freaks..

[Roosters110]

Soon I’m gonna just feel around and give her a health check if all seem right,maybe she truly is just old can’t avoid that unfortunately.But yes not being able figure it all out drives me crazy.

 

[Riche Bronson]

Did you say she’s 9 years old?

 

[CCUK]

I had a bit of a bad year last. I seemed to go from one drama to another. I have a couple of hens that seem to keep suffering cocci one had peritonitis and had to be euthanised, a couple had upper respiratory infections. Some had mycoplasma, canker, lice, worms. I lost a couple of my hybrids to old age. 3yrs! Not old just burnt out. And a Brahma that loves being broody! I'm hoping this year will be better. Beginning to feel a little bit jinxed. I don't have a vet now. They closed down due to costs. The best treatment is always to prevent it from happening in the first place but somethings are just going to happen no matter what. I'm just glad we don't get raccoons, bears, coyotes and possums etc. all trying to have a go.!

 

[Roosters110]

She has to be something like that.She and alll her sister we’re fairly old when we got them and didn’t lay too much this is was some years ago.Assuming when we got them she was at least five or four years.its been about four and half years since that

 

[aart]

Mail in fecal testing:
http://www.midamericaagresearch.net/instructions.php

 

[Chickassan]

I don't know if this encourages or discourages you but ivemectrin is also used in removing parasites in humans. If given a choice its what I use on my flock due to the added effect of killing mites and lice. I'm not skirting any warnings but if you were to eat a whole ton of ivemectrin eggs the worst side effect would be you would get dewormed.

“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.

 

[CCUK]

I don't know if this encourages or discourages you but ivemectrin is also used in removing parasites in humans. If given a choice its what I use on my flock due to the added effect of killing mites and lice. I'm not skirting any warnings but if you were to eat a whole ton of ivemectrin eggs the worst side effect would be you would get dewormed.

And you wouldn't itch anymore''

 

[aart]

I don't know if this encourages or discourages you but ivemectrin is also used in removing parasites in humans. If given a choice its what I use on my flock due to the added effect of killing mites and lice. I'm not skirting any warnings but if you were to eat a whole ton of ivemectrin eggs the worst side effect would be you would get dewormed.

Could be why it's not approved for food animals,
as with antibiotics.,
can cause resistance or interference when that drug is needed for humans.

 

[Chickassan]

Very possible. I can see where the warnings could be needed in big production or in countries where parasitic infestations are high but just in hobby chickens, nah. I do have to take into account there are always those that would abuse it on a small scale though, maybe unintentionally over deworming or as a quick mite solution. Seems like it would be alot harder to develop a resistance too than antibiotics, it's a strange world though who knows?

Could be why it's not approved for food animals,
as with antibiotics.,
can cause resistance or interference when that drug is needed for humans.

 

[happyfrenchman]

All those birds look pretty good to me. Even the 9 year old. When a chicken gets that old, there is no telling .... Just be proud it you have taken such good care of her she got has attained that age. Riche, your birds look fine to me. Birds are skinnier than one might think. Laying hens don't carry alot of fat if they are healthy. Think of a bird you buy at the store to eat. Not much fat on a roaster, or even a turkey for that matter. Your birds are fine. When the bugs get going, they will be hard at em. I have never taken a chicken to a veterinarian myself either. I could get 3 sacks of feed for what I would pay just for walking in the door.