Like the title says, I have seen three out of my four one year old hens gaping. I’ll do my best here to stick to the info asked for:
1: All my girls are Plymouth Barred Rocks. Three of the four weigh 5lbs, one weighs in at 6lbs.
2. I’ve noticed the gaping, no wheezing or other sounds present with it, and more than usual head shaking. Occasional rare sneeze (sometimes with clear watery fluid). Pale combs here and there, but when I pet them they go back to normal. I’m thinking that could be the heat + brooding. They do get electrolytes and vitamins added to water.
3. It began about a week and a half ago. A day after my new chicks arrived; no exposure to them. And no cross contamination as my son handles the chicks.
4. It started with the family favorite Sunny, and then started appearing in the other girls. I can’t monitor them 24/7, but I’ll usually sit with them for 30 mins, or so morning and night. Rosie is still occasionally doing this. Literally once and done.
5. No trauma. Thoroughly inspected, but they are ALL broody currently.
6. The only thing that changed environmentally was a new dust bath, and the chicks had arrived. I know they could hear the chicks.
7. They’re eating and drinking habits haven’t changed. Layer pellet feed with proper amount of crushed granite mixed in, clean water daily, mealworm treats, cucumbers and zucchini fresh from the garden (cleaned).
8. Slightly runny poop, but not much.
9. I started them immediately on a dewormer because I was suspecting gape worm and it was that time anyways. They have a second dose coming up this week. I also used a homemade “remedy” of garlic, ginger, oregano seeds, cayenne, fennel, and honey. They seem to enjoy it and either the dewormer, or that has reduced symptoms.
10. I want to treat this at home and I feel like I’m going in the right direction, but I don’t like that I’m still seeing it some.
12. Their current bedding is large kiln dried pine shavings, but I’m switching it out to hemp this week. Their run is concrete. And their dust bath is a mixture of DE, wood ash from oak,
All that said, I have a Denegard, Tylan200, and Safeguard at my disposal. I was initially concerned about CRD, but I prefer to go the natural route when possible. I’d also note that their crops are normal, but I didn’t check initially.
So I have three questions floating in my head here that I’m hoping I can get some insight on.
1.) With what info I’ve given, best educated guesses what I’m dealing with?
2.) Is there anything more I should do to get ahead of this? I’ve considered giving them the Tylan, or Denegard, but I don’t want to over treat. Though the head shaking makes me think I should just to knock out anything that may be lingering.
3.) Has anyone else been suspect of DE causing temporary respiratory issues with their birds? I’ve used DE for years with dogs and even myself internally and externally. However, the timing seems highly coincidental.
Thanks for any insight; I know that’s a bit of a read.
1: All my girls are Plymouth Barred Rocks. Three of the four weigh 5lbs, one weighs in at 6lbs.
2. I’ve noticed the gaping, no wheezing or other sounds present with it, and more than usual head shaking. Occasional rare sneeze (sometimes with clear watery fluid). Pale combs here and there, but when I pet them they go back to normal. I’m thinking that could be the heat + brooding. They do get electrolytes and vitamins added to water.
3. It began about a week and a half ago. A day after my new chicks arrived; no exposure to them. And no cross contamination as my son handles the chicks.
4. It started with the family favorite Sunny, and then started appearing in the other girls. I can’t monitor them 24/7, but I’ll usually sit with them for 30 mins, or so morning and night. Rosie is still occasionally doing this. Literally once and done.
5. No trauma. Thoroughly inspected, but they are ALL broody currently.
6. The only thing that changed environmentally was a new dust bath, and the chicks had arrived. I know they could hear the chicks.
7. They’re eating and drinking habits haven’t changed. Layer pellet feed with proper amount of crushed granite mixed in, clean water daily, mealworm treats, cucumbers and zucchini fresh from the garden (cleaned).
8. Slightly runny poop, but not much.
9. I started them immediately on a dewormer because I was suspecting gape worm and it was that time anyways. They have a second dose coming up this week. I also used a homemade “remedy” of garlic, ginger, oregano seeds, cayenne, fennel, and honey. They seem to enjoy it and either the dewormer, or that has reduced symptoms.
10. I want to treat this at home and I feel like I’m going in the right direction, but I don’t like that I’m still seeing it some.
12. Their current bedding is large kiln dried pine shavings, but I’m switching it out to hemp this week. Their run is concrete. And their dust bath is a mixture of DE, wood ash from oak,
All that said, I have a Denegard, Tylan200, and Safeguard at my disposal. I was initially concerned about CRD, but I prefer to go the natural route when possible. I’d also note that their crops are normal, but I didn’t check initially.
So I have three questions floating in my head here that I’m hoping I can get some insight on.
1.) With what info I’ve given, best educated guesses what I’m dealing with?
2.) Is there anything more I should do to get ahead of this? I’ve considered giving them the Tylan, or Denegard, but I don’t want to over treat. Though the head shaking makes me think I should just to knock out anything that may be lingering.
3.) Has anyone else been suspect of DE causing temporary respiratory issues with their birds? I’ve used DE for years with dogs and even myself internally and externally. However, the timing seems highly coincidental.
Thanks for any insight; I know that’s a bit of a read.
However, I understood how in theory it could be good in a dust bath.... but also that it could potentially be hazardous.
