Need advice from those more experienced

Hi,

I am having some possible health issues with my flock and need some advice.

Background:
- I have 16 BO hens about 2 years old.
- We have had some very rainy and cold weather lately and have noticed some of the ladies not feeling so well.
- Due to another thread I posted, cocci in most likely not the cause of ill-health.
- I use deep litter method, clean waters and feeder regularly and have a covered dirt run, they have an uncovered chicken
yard where they run and play in addition to the pen when I am home.
- I wormed last in March

I am getting concerned because some of the ladies are acting as though they do not feel well.
I am not sure what is the best plan of action to take. I take good loving care of my girls and
want to do what is the best for them.

Should I worm them?
Dust them?
Could is just be winter blues?
They just came out of a hard molt, could this be the cause of any problems.

Those with more experience I need some advice on what do to from here.

Thanks

 

They just came out of a hard molt. Most of them have their new feathers in and look good as far as that is concerned
but they just seem like something is bringing them down. This was our first molt so I am not sure how long it takes
them to get perky again after a hard molt. The stopped laying completly during their molt and are now up to about 4-6 eggs a day.
That is from a flock of 16 ladies. So egg laying are just starting to pick up again slowly.

I thought about worming them, then I also thought about running course of Sulmet in case they have something
that would require the attention of an antibiotic.

Not sure if it is best to worm or run the antibiotic though.

The bottle of Sulmet that I have expires in January 2013. Would it be safe to use now or should I go ahead and get a new one?

Thanks

 

I have not noticed any sneezing or anything like that. But you are right, the winter does make it harder on them is there is an illness lurking around.
Would the Sulmet take care of things like that should they show up or do I need to get something else, just wondering? Thanks.

 

Ok, thanks, I that makes a lot of sense. Maybe a weeks worth of vits are a good idea. They are coming out of their first molt, in fact they are just now
reaching about 3-6 eggs a day after completely stopping laying eggs for a good while. Could it be the effects of the hard molt that is making them
appear kind of out of it? Thanks for your input, I will take your advise.

 

That is true, will all the rain it has been extra cloudy too. Is there any foods that I can offer them that will help boost their moral.
I usually give them scratch, oatmeal, wheat bread, wheat spaghetti, and warm water in the mornings. I am currently feeding them
22% layer pellets. Am I on the right track with what I am giving them? Thanks