Moulting gone wrong? Worms? Runny poops and no interest in food...

[liz2e]

My four 1.5 yr old hens started moulting at the end of September. Around that same time, they completely lost interest in their pellet food. They would forage in the yard and drink water, but barely touch their pellets. Some hens would eat if I softened their food with water. Their poops got rather, ahem, watery. By which I mean they were squirting water out their butts Egg production dropped off completely, which I figured had to do with the moulting. But wouldn't they want more food, not less?

I have never wormed my birds but am wondering with the return of wet weather (on the west coast of Canada) if they might be experiencing an overload of worms now that their immune systems are a bit under the weather from moulting? I acquired some piperazine and was going to start with that. Give them an electrolyte boost after, and try to keep giving them soft protein rich food until they regain interest in the pellets.

Is this the correct course of treatment? From my research it could be that the worms are blocking their digestive tract, thus the runny poops?

Anyone else's birds been sick during a moult?

 

[3riverschick]

I don't know about all the other things with your birds but switch them to Nutrena feather fixer feed . is specially made for molting birds .will give them beautiful new feathers and they may even lay through the molt.
if you can get everything else straightened out.
Best ,
Karen

 

[Spartan22]

I’ve experienced 3 seasons of molting, normally they lost interest on laying pellets, I substitute Flock raiser or feather fixer (protein content 20-24%) I also add some black oil sunflower seeds on their diet with calcium on the side.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @liz2e Welcome To BYC

Wazine will only treat roundworms. It's possible the runny poop could be due to worms, but it would be best to have a fecal float to determine if worms are the cause.
You mention they are not eating their normal feed, but will forage and drink water - this could also be the cause of their runny poop- they simply are not eating enough to form a proper stool.

I agree with the others, molting birds usually don't feel well and usually you will see a decrease in feed intake. Offering extra protein like egg, tuna, meat or providing a feed like Feather Fixer or giving a higher protein feed like Flock Raiser may be beneficial.