my hens are thin

[cgmccary]

Quote:
I would never worm week old, two week old, or four week old, or 8 week old chicks-- they haven't had time to acquire worms! Instead, if you are going to worm, do it first time at about a year old or earlier if a problem -- but at least only after they have reached pullet weight. I would think any wormer would be particularly hard on a week old chick.

If they have been broody, then that would account for them being thin, broodies don't eat much and get thin.

 

[carolinasculpture]

cgmccary, Thank you for your response. I began to worm my chicks at a week old because the first time we got chicks, all were doing well except for one which was kinda puny and didn't gain any weight, it spent progressively more time sleeping and was declining. At the advise of another Backyard Chicken-er, I wormed with Pig Swig and my littlest pullet slowly, but gradually began to improve. The chicks came from a hatchery and folks here let me know that they may have easily picked up the worms in transit or before. Since it worked so well that first time, I have done it since, but with your advise, may not until they are older this time. Makes sense to me.

I did weigh the hens and compared to their weight a few months ago and their weight last year at this time, they were pretty significantly down. I did worm them yesterday ans so far, so good. If course, they haven't gained any weight yet, but I will check them next week for progress.