Maine

[Mainechick168]

Not sure if any of you could help me, but I have some sort of illness spreading through my flock. I'm also quite sure they have a heavy worm load (despite my finding nothing indicating it before today). Would you mind checking out my post in Emergencies and sharing any wisdom you might have?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/836085/something-spreading-through-flock#post_12281753

Memama- about a month ago, my chickens were showing signs of a respiratory illness- I treated everyone with Tylan 40 injectable for 3 days, and everyone is doing fine now! About a year ago, I used the tylan orally, and I won't again, way to much of a pain! Injections were much easier to administer!

 

[MEMama3]

Memama- about a month ago, my chickens were showing signs of a respiratory illness- I treated everyone with Tylan 40 injectable for 3 days, and everyone is doing fine now! About a year ago, I used the tylan orally, and I won't again, way to much of a pain! Injections were much easier to administer!

Thanks mainechick! I am really wondering if the worms were as bad as I originally thought. Being the curious person I am I went out and examined it. There was one worm,but that was all. I'll do was one and tylan and keep my fingers crossed.

 

[yankeehill]

My hens are barely laying, which makes me sad. I don't know what is up with them. 2-4 eggs a day out of a flock of 14 is NOT cool. Some are just shy of 6 months, others are 1.5 years old. I have a light on for them.

On a plus note, it looks like the ducks have started laying! Today we found 2 duck eggs. Yesterday we found a HUGE egg, which I thought was a goose egg, but my husband thinks it is a duck egg also. We have Khaki Campbells and one Golden Hybrid. We're guessing the big egg is from the Golden Hybrid.

 

[Mainechick168]

My hens are barely laying, which makes me sad. I don't know what is up with them. 2-4 eggs a day out of a flock of 14 is NOT cool. Some are just shy of 6 months, others are 1.5 years old. I have a light on for them.

On a plus note, it looks like the ducks have started laying! Today we found 2 duck eggs. Yesterday we found a HUGE egg, which I thought was a goose egg, but my husband thinks it is a duck egg also. We have Khaki Campbells and one Golden Hybrid. We're guessing the big egg is from the Golden Hybrid.

for a few weeks we were only getting 1-2 eggs a day from our 10. A bunch of them were molting, and some had the mysterious "pox". Just in the past couple of days it has starting to pick up again.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I don't really see worms in your poo...

Worms look like this:



Or lots of little worms squirming around in the poo. Yours looks to me like mucus, over the internet.

As far as what to do, I'm very cautious with antibiotics, so I would just be giving supportive therapy (good food, warm/draft free place, change the bedding). You're welcome to treat with an antibiotic, that's your choice.

 

[lazy gardener]

I got 3/5 eggs today. My girls have also cut back, but I'm not giving them a light. A huge hawk tried to take one of the girls this afternoon. It was tan with a cream colored belly. My 7 y.o. was in the green house with 3 of the girls. The 2 who were out came running for cover when I went out, but they were very confused b/c their flock mates were in the green house, and they didn't know whether to go into the coop or the green house. The hawk took off from the ground behind the coop. Poor Abby (she was out, and is also the alpha pullet) didn't stop growling for about a half hour! I hate to keep the girls in confinement, but hesitate to let them out tomorrow. This is my first close call.

So, I'm pulling together plans for a winter run for the girls. I have the 8 x 8 floor space of the hoop coop, am adding a 4 x 8 awning sun space to that, also have an 8 x 8 hoop green house, and could also enclose my swing set trellis or give them a standard small run with rebar posts and plastic or wire 1" chicken wire. The only area that is for sure predator proof is their hoop coop, so the run/green house space would be day use only. Would snow fall through bird netting, or would the weight of it cause every thing to collapse? I know I'm over thinking this whole issue, but that hawk scared me! Also, I haven't dealt with chickens in the winter in more than 25 years!

Advice???

I've heard that hawks are migratory. I thought they would have left the area by now.

On a different note, while working in the shop today, I noticed that a trash can near by smelled a bit gamey. When I looked inside, there was a dead mouse. So, tonight, I think I'll put a little peanut butter in the bottom of that can, to see if I get any further action.

 

[Mainechick168]

I don't really see worms in your poo...

Worms look like this:



Or lots of little worms squirming around in the poo. Yours looks to me like mucus, over the internet.

As far as what to do, I'm very cautious with antibiotics, so I would just be giving supportive therapy (good food, warm/draft free place, change the bedding). You're welcome to treat with an antibiotic, that's your choice.

I hear you on being cautious with the antibiotics. I start with the most natural approach, but if I don't see improvement or symptoms get worse, I'll go the med route. None of my birds will be consumed by us, so I might be a little more on the liberal side, but I've decided that if I can save them, I better try!

I've had good luck with VetRX for minor respiratory issues, and did use it in conjunction with the Tylan this last time.

 

[buckabucka]

I would leave the birds in tomorrow, lazy gardener. It's going to rain anyway. Maybe the hawk will move on. I think wet snow will stick to bird netting.

I think I saw a fox run across the road when I was running this morning. It was not terribly light and I did not get a really good look. This afternoon, I stopped to make sure a dead animal in the road was not my neighbor's cat, but it was a raccoon. One less predator out there, I guess.

 

[quailtrail]

My poor chickens are acting like they are starving!!?? I went out this afternoon with raisins which they love. Shouldn't have gone out barefoot as they were going for my toes!!! Lol!!! Then they kept coming to the door looking for more.

 

[Widget]

My poor chickens are acting like they are starving!!?? I went out this afternoon with raisins which they love. Shouldn't have gone out barefoot as they were going for my toes!!! Lol!!! Then they kept coming to the door looking for more.

My turkeys meet me at the top of the driveway when I get home. They do not seem to understand that I do not have food with me 24/7. And when I do go to the food storage area they think it is okay to jump on top of the trash can where the food is. I have yet to get through to them that if they want food I have to be able to get to the food.