Meyer Hatchery Chicken pics anyone??

[christine9]

Or maybe it was the stress of passing an abnormal egg? She seems almost normal now. No egg song or anything. Usually she sings the loudest. I'm confused.

 

[NotableNancy]

Or maybe it was the stress of passing an abnormal egg? She seems almost normal now. No egg song or anything. Usually she sings the loudest. I'm confused.

I find I get worked up the instant one of the girls seems a little 'off' Wait until tomorrow and see how she is. I have to remind myself that sometimes they just feel a bit under the weather like we do. Hoping she wakes up ok.


I am still all over the place with my girls. Mo, my cochin with the bare belly now has broken feathers on her back right above her tail.
No rooster, never see anyone picking on her and never any mounting, no lice or mites that I can see. I am researching every day and now I think maybe it's Depluming Mites.
Here's what I found...
The Depluming Mite (Knemidocoptes laevis, variety gallinae) causes severe irritation by burrowing into the skin near the bases of feathers and frequently causes feathers to be pulled out or broken. The mite is barely visible to the naked eye and can be found in follicles at the base of the feathers. The mites crawl around the birds at times, spreading from bird to bird.

and this:

The Depluming Mite (Knemidocoptes gallinae) is related to the Scaly Leg Mite and like its better known relative, is a burrowing mite. However, whilst the Scaly Leg Mite burrows in between the scales of the leg, the depluming mite burrows into the feather shafts particularly on the head, neck, back, belly and upper legs.
This burrowing causes damage to the tissue which oozes with a nutrient rich fluid on which the Depluming Mites feed. This burrowing causes irritation and pain to the chicken causing it to scratch and to pull out its own feathers. Severely burdened chickens will lose weight and will lay fewer eggs.
One interesting fact about Depluming Mites is that rather than laying eggs, they give birth to live young and they can complete their lifecycle in as little as 17 days. They tend to be most prevalent in spring and summer, with numbers falling in autumn.
Stressed birds will allow their numbers to increase more rapidly. The mites can only be transmitted between birds by direct contact.
Treatment for Depluming Mite involves using Ivermectin 1% spot on drops. But again it is important to note that Ivermectin is not licensed for chickens and as such you should always seek advice from your prescribing vet and apply the appropriate egg withdrawal period. Hens that lay eggs should never have their eggs sold for human consumption after treating them with Ivermectin. Treat the house as you would forRed Mite infestation.
So I'm going to get the ivermectin and try that. I let them free range for a while tonight and they all seem completely normal, eating and drinking, but I just don't think bare bellies and now broken feathers is normal. I gotta do something. I'm giving them probiotics on their food or in water and yogurt once a week. I tried the cayenne pepper one day and squash seeds a few days later.
Any other ideas?

 

[trsturself]

I find I get worked up the instant one of the girls seems a little 'off' Wait until tomorrow and see how she is. I have to remind myself that sometimes they just feel a bit under the weather like we do. Hoping she wakes up ok.


I am still all over the place with my girls. Mo, my cochin with the bare belly now has broken feathers on her back right above her tail.
No rooster, never see anyone picking on her and never any mounting, no lice or mites that I can see. I am researching every day and now I think maybe it's Depluming Mites.
Here's what I found...
The Depluming Mite (Knemidocoptes laevis, variety gallinae) causes severe irritation by burrowing into the skin near the bases of feathers and frequently causes feathers to be pulled out or broken. The mite is barely visible to the naked eye and can be found in follicles at the base of the feathers. The mites crawl around the birds at times, spreading from bird to bird.

and this:

The Depluming Mite (Knemidocoptes gallinae) is related to the Scaly Leg Mite and like its better known relative, is a burrowing mite. However, whilst the Scaly Leg Mite burrows in between the scales of the leg, the depluming mite burrows into the feather shafts particularly on the head, neck, back, belly and upper legs.
This burrowing causes damage to the tissue which oozes with a nutrient rich fluid on which the Depluming Mites feed. This burrowing causes irritation and pain to the chicken causing it to scratch and to pull out its own feathers. Severely burdened chickens will lose weight and will lay fewer eggs.
One interesting fact about Depluming Mites is that rather than laying eggs, they give birth to live young and they can complete their lifecycle in as little as 17 days. They tend to be most prevalent in spring and summer, with numbers falling in autumn.
Stressed birds will allow their numbers to increase more rapidly. The mites can only be transmitted between birds by direct contact.
Treatment for Depluming Mite involves using Ivermectin 1% spot on drops. But again it is important to note that Ivermectin is not licensed for chickens and as such you should always seek advice from your prescribing vet and apply the appropriate egg withdrawal period. Hens that lay eggs should never have their eggs sold for human consumption after treating them with Ivermectin. Treat the house as you would forRed Mite infestation.
So I'm going to get the ivermectin and try that. I let them free range for a while tonight and they all seem completely normal, eating and drinking, but I just don't think bare bellies and now broken feathers is normal. I gotta do something. I'm giving them probiotics on their food or in water and yogurt once a week. I tried the cayenne pepper one day and squash seeds a few days later.
Any other ideas?

It's interesting they say you can never sell the eggs for human consumption again. But you can eat them yourself?
I hope it's a solution for you. Keep us posted.


We gave our broody 12 crested cream legbars, 3 EE/Silkies, and 1 cochinX eggs today. She is sitting on them. I'll keep you posted on any hatches in 3 weeks.

 

[NotableNancy]

It's interesting they say you can never sell the eggs for human consumption again. But you can eat them yourself?
I hope it's a solution for you. Keep us posted.

I know.... that's what's keeping me from using it. Has anyone read about a Sulfur Dip or just Sulfur Powder? Sounded dangerous but it's not. It's natural, just stinks to high heaven.
Since it's just my one that seems to be bad off with the sad looking feathers I was thinking of dipping/washing her in the dip and then treating them all again with poultry dust/sevin and of course treating the coop. I also read to coat the roosts with Nu stock which I have on hand.
Anyone??
I must have researched 8 hours yesterday and today and I'm still all over the place. I wish someone could just come here and look at what's going on and tell me what to do. I don't want to keep doing the wrong thing and stressing them out.
Here's what I found on the Sulfur:
Sulfur has been used for many years. The treatment of individual birds with powdered sulfur is satisfactory if liberal amounts of dust are used and if application is thorough. Dipping the birds in sulfur baths is laborious, but the results are gratifying. Dips may be prepared by mixing 2 ounces of finely ground sulfur (325 mesh) and 1 ounce of powdered soap or detergent to a gallon of lukewarm water. The feathers should be wet to the skin, and the head ducked. It is always advisable to dip fowl on warm, sunny days or in heated buildings. Treatment with either sulfur dusts or dips should be repeated as required.
Amazon has it: http://www.amazon.com/Revival-Anima...TF8&qid=1398609551&sr=8-1&keywords=sulfur+dip

We gave our broody 12 crested cream legbars, 3 EE/Silkies, and 1 cochinX eggs today. She is sitting on them. I'll keep you posted on any hatches in 3 weeks.

How exciting!!! I hope you get a great hatch!!! I love that you can sex the CCL's at birth so you know what's what.

 

[christine9]

I think you're doing exactly the right thing. You might want to add electrolytes and/or vitamins to their water too. I find that helps whenever they are stressed. It sounds like you've found the issue and the solution. As for the eggs, I've found that any medication not intended for poultry says not to eat the eggs. Most medications are between 10-15 days. I might wait 30 days if I was really worried about it. You're doing good though.

Oh and my Kiwi was fine this morning. Yelling like she normally does in the morning. I guess she was just stressed about the soft-shelled egg. Maybe they don't pass the same way.

 

[NanaLynn]

I like my sleep too! I would be a horrible farmer... I'm a complete night person. Does she sell the sheep/goats or is it just a hobby?

She sells sheep and goats when she has extras from new births etc. But she mainly sells their fur, she has the long hair goats and of course sheep have a lot of fur. They sheer them twice a year I think or maybe once, not sure. She spins their hair into yarn, dyes it and everything, pretty cool.

Or maybe it was the stress of passing an abnormal egg? She seems almost normal now. No egg song or anything. Usually she sings the loudest. I'm confused.

I bet that is what it was, my SF, Sally who usually lays a tiny 1.6 ounce egg was having a fit today, wold not shut up. I went back out later and she laid a huge 2.6 ounce egg. I see why she was yelling!

I find I get worked up the instant one of the girls seems a little 'off' Wait until tomorrow and see how she is. I have to remind myself that sometimes they just feel a bit under the weather like we do. Hoping she wakes up ok.


I am still all over the place with my girls. Mo, my cochin with the bare belly now has broken feathers on her back right above her tail.
No rooster, never see anyone picking on her and never any mounting, no lice or mites that I can see. I am researching every day and now I think maybe it's Depluming Mites.
Here's what I found...
The Depluming Mite (Knemidocoptes laevis, variety gallinae) causes severe irritation by burrowing into the skin near the bases of feathers and frequently causes feathers to be pulled out or broken. The mite is barely visible to the naked eye and can be found in follicles at the base of the feathers. The mites crawl around the birds at times, spreading from bird to bird.

and this:

The Depluming Mite (Knemidocoptes gallinae) is related to the Scaly Leg Mite and like its better known relative, is a burrowing mite. However, whilst the Scaly Leg Mite burrows in between the scales of the leg, the depluming mite burrows into the feather shafts particularly on the head, neck, back, belly and upper legs.
This burrowing causes damage to the tissue which oozes with a nutrient rich fluid on which the Depluming Mites feed. This burrowing causes irritation and pain to the chicken causing it to scratch and to pull out its own feathers. Severely burdened chickens will lose weight and will lay fewer eggs.
One interesting fact about Depluming Mites is that rather than laying eggs, they give birth to live young and they can complete their lifecycle in as little as 17 days. They tend to be most prevalent in spring and summer, with numbers falling in autumn.
Stressed birds will allow their numbers to increase more rapidly. The mites can only be transmitted between birds by direct contact.
Treatment for Depluming Mite involves using Ivermectin 1% spot on drops. But again it is important to note that Ivermectin is not licensed for chickens and as such you should always seek advice from your prescribing vet and apply the appropriate egg withdrawal period. Hens that lay eggs should never have their eggs sold for human consumption after treating them with Ivermectin. Treat the house as you would forRed Mite infestation.
So I'm going to get the ivermectin and try that. I let them free range for a while tonight and they all seem completely normal, eating and drinking, but I just don't think bare bellies and now broken feathers is normal. I gotta do something. I'm giving them probiotics on their food or in water and yogurt once a week. I tried the cayenne pepper one day and squash seeds a few days later.
Any other ideas?

Maybe I am too late to get in on this, not that I am sure exactly what to do, I have read of some of the old timers using wood ash on their birds and covering them with it and making sure they get them good and deep to the skin. You can put the chicken in a bag with their head out of the bag to really coat them good and wear a mask too.

Also, I thin nu stock is sulfar based as well, so if that is what really gets rid of those mites I'd try that. And wear the gloves for that too.

I'd be nervous trying anything to harsh especially if it is not meant for chickens and stay with the more natural approach and just stick with wood ashing them for a few days in a row. Just what I would do. Probiotics, garlic, cayenne and any of the other natural herbs to help with their immune systems too.
Do all your chickens have the problem and are they getting worse?

 

[NotableNancy]

She sells sheep and goats when she has extras from new births etc. But she mainly sells their fur, she has the long hair goats and of course sheep have a lot of fur. They sheer them twice a year I think or maybe once, not sure. She spins their hair into yarn, dyes it and everything, pretty cool.

I bet that is what it was, my SF, Sally who usually lays a tiny 1.6 ounce egg was having a fit today, wold not shut up. I went back out later and she laid a huge 2.6 ounce egg. I see why she was yelling!

Maybe I am too late to get in on this, not that I am sure exactly what to do, I have read of some of the old timers using wood ash on their birds and covering them with it and making sure they get them good and deep to the skin. You can put the chicken in a bag with their head out of the bag to really coat them good and wear a mask too.

Also, I thin nu stock is sulfar based as well, so if that is what really gets rid of those mites I'd try that. And wear the gloves for that too.

I'd be nervous trying anything to harsh especially if it is not meant for chickens and stay with the more natural approach and just stick with wood ashing them for a few days in a row. Just what I would do. Probiotics, garlic, cayenne and any of the other natural herbs to help with their immune systems too.
Do all your chickens have the problem and are they getting worse?

Nope, not to late. All help is appreciated!!
I have wood ash in the run in 2 places mixed with sand and DE for dust bathing. I did take Mo and rub straight wood ash onto her yesterday before I added more into the run. I did that early in the day and then when I went out to look at her after dark, about 11 PM, I couldn't tell if it was wood ash I was seeing or the eggs from mites. I've seen pictures of feathers with mite dust or mite eggs I guess it is, and it was just gray feathers near the base. This is what it looked like but it could have been the ash. Arghhhh

It's making me nuts.
I'm ordering the sulfur dip from Amazon and gonna dip poor ole Mo as soon as I get it. She'll have a nice spa day. Hopefully that's what it is and at least I know what I'm dealing with.

It doesn't seem to be spreading to any other birds. Mo is the worst. But my BR and one BA have bare bellies/chest but still looks the same as a week ago. No better no worse. Some look absolutely perfect. Then to top it off, Mo must have been under one of the roosts a bit last night and another bird pooped right onto her back where the broken feathers are and the other girls have been pecking at it all day. I tried to get it out but it's kinda messy.

Has anyone used Blu Kote on a white chicken... I was going to spray her but I was afraid the blue would actually attract more attention and they would pick her more!!

 

[christine9]

I found a funny looking egg in the nest box. I'm guessing it's Kiwi since she laid that soft shelled egg yesterday. I hope she'll be back on track after this. I've read that pullets lay funny eggs until they "get used" to laying. Have any of you experienced this? My girls will be a year old in Sept.

 

[winteree]

I found a funny looking egg in the nest box. I'm guessing it's Kiwi since she laid that soft shelled egg yesterday. I hope she'll be back on track after this. I've read that pullets lay funny eggs until they "get used" to laying. Have any of you experienced this? My girls will be a year old in Sept.

sounds like a very light calcium deficiency but i have heard that about new pullets but never more then 6-10 eggs after ward you may want to add some crushed oyster shells to their feed or put some in a feeder to free feed if you haven't already

 

[winteree]

Nope, not to late. All help is appreciated!!
I have wood ash in the run in 2 places mixed with sand and DE for dust bathing. I did take Mo and rub straight wood ash onto her yesterday before I added more into the run. I did that early in the day and then when I went out to look at her after dark, about 11 PM, I couldn't tell if it was wood ash I was seeing or the eggs from mites. I've seen pictures of feathers with mite dust or mite eggs I guess it is, and it was just gray feathers near the base. This is what it looked like but it could have been the ash. Arghhhh

It's making me nuts.
I'm ordering the sulfur dip from Amazon and gonna dip poor ole Mo as soon as I get it. She'll have a nice spa day. Hopefully that's what it is and at least I know what I'm dealing with.

It doesn't seem to be spreading to any other birds. Mo is the worst. But my BR and one BA have bare bellies/chest but still looks the same as a week ago. No better no worse. Some look absolutely perfect. Then to top it off, Mo must have been under one of the roosts a bit last night and another bird pooped right onto her back where the broken feathers are and the other girls have been pecking at it all day. I tried to get it out but it's kinda messy.

Has anyone used Blu Kote on a white chicken... I was going to spray her but I was afraid the blue would actually attract more attention and they would pick her more!!

if your bird is sick and getting attacked i would suggest separating her from the group for a time if you can