I'm not sure if my 1 mo old pullet has worms...please help.

[Merchris]

Hello,

I have a group of 4 pullets that I recieved for Christmas and the last few days one of my barred rocks has been standing around with her feathers all puffy and tucking her head into her wing. I read in my chicken book that this might be a sign of worms, but I'm afraid to medicate for fear of making things worse. She is eating and drinking and does run around a little durning the day, but when they go back in their cage at night, she just tucks her head back in. Her poo appears to be normal, although I will say this is the stinkiest batch of poopers I've had since we've had chickens, but we've also had to keep them closer to the house due to it being winter. All the others went straight out to the coop. They spend outside in a protective run, but at night they go into a cage on the back porch. This weekend we were going to move them to their own sectioned off place in the coop so that the big girls get used to them and they get used to the new home. I just don't know if this is something else, something serious or what. I would really appreciate it if someone could give some advice if this is something you've seen before.

Thanks again.

 

[brooster]

I would check for lice or mites, and if thats not it, i would take a fecal sample to my vet. your vet will tell you if she has worms, and he will give you medications for it.

 

[Kristina]

So it's one month old? Do you have a heat source for them. It could be that the litlle one is cold? What are you feeding them? Are they on medicated starter?

 

[MissPrissy]

At one month old unless that have been living in the dirt I wouldn't think they have worms. Could be but I would find it odd that quickly.

At one month they are not feathered out and might be cold. Are you using a heat lamp for them? They will need a source of heat 24 hours a day until they are 8 - 10 weeks old maybe even a little older in winter weather. They need thick warm bedding to settle down into to held keep themselves insulated if they are exposed to the outdoors.

You can check for mites and lice best by waiting until dark and taking a flashlight and looking around their vent for little bugs.

Do a little investigation. Look at their poop and see if you see anything moving in it. You can also do as brooster suggests and take a sample to a vet to check.

 

[Merchris]

Thanks for your replies.

Yes, they all have feathers at this time and the coldest it's been the last two days here is about 60 degrees at night, upper 50's at most. They aren't living in the dirt, they just go out to play in it during the day. I figured they might need some dirt baths, but they stay in the cage at night. The cage they'll go into this weekend is off of the ground as well, but we're going to let them go out in a protective run during the day to stretch their wings. I'm just scared about losing one of my babies, you know? Seems like sometimes they're fine one day and then not.

Does any vet to a poo sample? I have to take the dog to the vet tomorrow, so I suppose I could ask and take a sample just in case. I'm thinking they're about 1 mo old as I got them for Christmas and they were just babies.

If it is worms, what do you guys suggest? Also, after this little incident, I was thinking of getting some of those vitamins from McMurray to give to all the chickens, does that seem like a good idea? I have all kinds of other animals and know what to do with them, but I'm pretty new with the chickens, just under a year and just feel like I don't know anything!!!

Thanks again!

 

[MissPrissy]

If they are 1 month old your birds are NOT fully feathered with the feathers that keep them warm and regulates their temperature and should still be at 75 or more degrees in a brooder. 50 - 60 is cold to 4 week old chicks. I would be worried they are getting sick form being cold and it this exposure that might cause a very bad outcome.

 

[Merchris]

Thanks again. I'll make sure that we put the lamp on them for a few more weeks. I'm also going to go home and check poo. (JOY!!) Do you think I should do anything else at this time, or wait another day or two and see how she is? I am just afraid that if something is wrong, it will get worse. I'll check for bugs too.

 

[MissPrissy]

They are such young chicks if you are sure they have worms you can try speckledhens worming remedy of feeding them well chopped pumpkin seeds mix with buttermilk.

I really do not like to use chemicals on my livestock.

 

[sammi]

I agree with Miss Prissy.
rule of thumb:
day old chicks should be kept in a draft free brooder at 95 degrees.
lower temperature 5 degrees for each week after that.

if the chicks are 1 month old..4 weeks..they should be kept at 75 degrees and draft free with good bedding.

cold can cause a chill and loose droppings..and respiratory illness..
they may need an antibiotic instead of a wormer.

if they have been exposed to adult chickens or in an area where adult chickens have been..they could have cocci.
what color and consistency are the droppings?

any vet can do a fecal test for worms and protozoa (cocci).

what are they eating?
do they have chick vitamins?

 

[Merchris]

My hubby brought home some herbal chicken medicine last night. I was nervous about giving it, but it was just essential oils to fight off things like colds and respiratory illnesses. Heat lamp went on and medicine went in, and I think she's doing better today. She's still a little puffed up, but seems a lot more perky. I hope she's now on the upward trend.

I haven't been giving any vitamins, because I wasn't sure what was ok to give. Any suggestions?

All of their poo looks normal. I did clean down the cage with soap and water last night though before they went back in.

They are eating a medicated chick feed for babies. I didn't realize it was medicated until hubby brought it home.