Newbie... Analyze my chicken poo?

[Sunset Ranch]

That would be awesome!!! I'm in a tiny mountain town that off the beaten track, so they might not want to track me down. However, I would be willing to meet them in a larger nearby city. I guess I can call them and see what's possible.

 

[dawg53]

Hi dawg5,! Wow, I'm thrilled to have the other BYC legend chiming in... Thank you!

I'm in Glennville CA, which is at 3500'. We do get some snow and freezing temps in the winter, sometimes lush spring rains (we've been in drout mode but it's better this year than last), and hot, dry summers.

We have a lot of wildlife around us... squirrels and birds can get through the fence but nothing larger unless a bear was determined to climb or tear down the run. I understand wildlife can introduce unwanted "critters" to a flock. So what do ya think? Annual/semi-annual worm meds, or go the test and treat as necessary route?

Thanks again... a new fan.

Worms are host specific. Birds cant get worms from squirrels and visa-versa. Wild birds can introduce worm eggs onto the soil which can eventually infect your birds. It's up to you how often you want to worm your birds or get feces tested.

 

[Sunset Ranch]

Thanks for the feedback dawg53. Since one of my hens was recently tested (and no new birds have been added) we should be safe for now, so I've decided to wait and retest in the fall. I might just retest every spring and fall until there is a need to use the worm meds... don't know... I'm torn.

Does anyone here use a microscope to check for worms, or is that too complicated?

As for my hen with the breathing anomaly, I called a local exotic bird vet (chickens are considered exotic here) and found out that an office visit and x-Ray would cost $250. That doesn't include any specific blood tests, so it could get expensive to go searching for a cause. I asked myself what my hen would prefer; a two hour car ride to be handled by a stranger, strapped to a table, poked with a needle and no telling what else... Or stay here with her flock mates and be held by the treat lady. The answer is a no brainer.

There is a lot more to chicken keeping than meets the eye of a cute fluffy chick, a pretty hen, and a basket of colorful eggs. Oh but I do love chickens and want to do my best (within reason) by them. Ugh... I feel like a mother hen.

 

[Sunset Ranch]

PS, here is a pic of Mama, the hen who gets a little breathless sometimes. She looks pretty good to my novice eyes, especially compared to when I first got her a few months back.

 

[casportpony]

She's cute.

-Kathy

 

[Sunset Ranch]

Mama must be feeling pretty good. She laid the blue egg in the middle today.

 

[casportpony]

Nice looking eggs!

-Kathy