Should I Cull my Hen?

[AuntieWeasel]

My favorite chicken ever made it to eight years old (that's good going for a bantam) and when her time came (she developed an extreme wry neck, some sort of stroke-like event the vet said) I had the vet put her down. I held her -- I owed her that much -- but I couldn't bear to cull her myself.

That said, that bump doesn't look too serious to me. It could be an abcess, but it's not broken through or anything. It could just be a harmless lipoma or something like that. If she doesn't seem unhappy, I'd wait and see.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Okay, I will spray more with Permethrin. Would I have to wear a mask and rain gear to spray that much or am I overdoing the "insecticide safety"?

Which product (concentration) are you using? Also please describe you application process to see if we might have tips to offer for increased efficacy.

I've never had to wear protection, yet.

How many birds do ya have total besides the two old gals?

I would consider switching to a "grower" or "flock raiser" with 18-20% protein and just keeping oyster shell on the side for active layers since she doesn't need the extra calcium of "layer" and those both appear to be dual purpose breeds which will do best with not less than 18% protein. Aside from extra protein the flock raiser also contains more amino acids which is key. Alfalfa is also high in calcium I believe. I might switch to using that as a treat instead of mixed into the feed.

Since she's active and just a tad slow, I would likely keep her with the flock as it may be less stressful than separation.

Eating slowing down with age is actually normal. Metabolism slows as well as activity lessens... so they need less calories to meet their energy level.

If you have Epsom salt to add when bathing her... it can help to be relaxing... the magnesium absorbs through the skin and into the muscles helping reduce soreness in athletes. Drinking it could cause diarrhea though, so try not to let her.

It is important to remember that chickens being prey animals will hide there discomfort just as long as possible... also to avoid their own flock from possibly pushing them out or cannibalizing them in an attempt to do so. So paying attention to the things mentioned by Wyorp are key... eating, lethargy, flock dynamics...

A life quality assessment tool...
https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/sites/defau...ionAnimals/HonoringtheBond/HowDoIKnowWhen.pdf

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Which product (concentration) are you using? Also please describe you application process to see if we might have tips to offer for increased efficacy.

I've never had to wear protection, yet.

How many birds do ya have total besides the two old gals?

I would consider switching to a "grower" or "flock raiser" with 18-20% protein and just keeping oyster shell on the side for active layers since she doesn't need the extra calcium of "layer" and those both appear to be dual purpose breeds which will do best with not less than 18% protein. Aside from extra protein the flock raiser also contains more amino acids which is key. Alfalfa is also high in calcium I believe. I might switch to using that as a treat instead of mixed into the feed.

Since she's active and just a tad slow, I would likely keep her with the flock as it may be less stressful than separation.

Eating slowing down with age is actually normal. Metabolism slows as well as activity lessens... so they need less calories to meet their energy level.

If you have Epsom salt to add when bathing her... it can help to be relaxing... the magnesium absorbs through the skin and into the muscles helping reduce soreness in athletes. Drinking it could cause diarrhea though, so try not to let her.

It is important to remember that chickens being prey animals will hide there discomfort just as long as possible... also to avoid their own flock from possibly pushing them out or cannibalizing them in an attempt to do so. So paying attention to the things mentioned by Wyorp are key... eating, lethargy, flock dynamics...

A life quality assessment tool...
https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/sites/defau...ionAnimals/HonoringtheBond/HowDoIKnowWhen.pdf

Well said!

 

[Simmons Homestead]

Which product (concentration) are you using? Also please describe you application process to see if we might have tips to offer for increased efficacy.

I've never had to wear protection, yet.

How many birds do ya have total besides the two old gals?

I would consider switching to a "grower" or "flock raiser" with 18-20% protein and just keeping oyster shell on the side for active layers since she doesn't need the extra calcium of "layer" and those both appear to be dual purpose breeds which will do best with not less than 18% protein. Aside from extra protein the flock raiser also contains more amino acids which is key. Alfalfa is also high in calcium I believe. I might switch to using that as a treat instead of mixed into the feed.

Since she's active and just a tad slow, I would likely keep her with the flock as it may be less stressful than separation.

Eating slowing down with age is actually normal. Metabolism slows as well as activity lessens... so they need less calories to meet their energy level.

If you have Epsom salt to add when bathing her... it can help to be relaxing... the magnesium absorbs through the skin and into the muscles helping reduce soreness in athletes. Drinking it could cause diarrhea though, so try not to let her.

It is important to remember that chickens being prey animals will hide there discomfort just as long as possible... also to avoid their own flock from possibly pushing them out or cannibalizing them in an attempt to do so. So paying attention to the things mentioned by Wyorp are key... eating, lethargy, flock dynamics...

A life quality assessment tool...
https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/sites/defau...ionAnimals/HonoringtheBond/HowDoIKnowWhen.pdf

I'm using 'Pure Planet Poultry Spray'. I take a hen, hold her, lift up her bum feathers, and spray. Then I lift up her wings, spray underneath, and let her go. Then I go to the coop and spray the nest boxes and the perch. I use my homeade spray for everything else.

I have four birds total, two old ladies and two young gals.

Okay, thank you. I will consider that and keep that in mind. I will bathe her in Epsom salts as well.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm using 'Pure Planet Poultry Spray'.

If you have been using that and are still having problems with a mites infestation. Get a Permethrin based poultry spray or dust instead. What you are using apparently not working.

 

[Simmons Homestead]

If you have been using that and are still having problems with a mites infestation. Get a Permethrin based poultry spray or dust instead. What you are using apparently not working.

View attachment 1877676View attachment 1877677View attachment 1877678

It is Permethrin based.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It is Permethrin based.

I'm using 'Pure Planet Poultry Spray'.

Unless I'm looking at the wrong product...Pure Planet Poultry Spray is made by Durvet. All I see is that it's active ingredients are clove and cottonseed oil. It's not a Permethrin based product.
https://www.durvet.com/product/pure-planet-poultry-spray/

• INGREDIENTS

Clove Oil..................................0.05%
Cottonseed Oil.........................0.05%
INERT INGREDIENTS*........99.90%
TOTAL...................................100.00%
*Glycerin, Myristic acid, Potassium Sterate, Potassium Oleate, Soap, Water.

 

[ShannonR]

I agree, you should step up the mite treatments. If the infestation is really bad, spraying only under the wings and their butts isn't going to cut it. I might even go so far as to give them all baths in a permetherin solution, similar to a flea dip. Sevin dust may also work, but the dust has to be worked through the feathers down to their skin...

 

[Simmons Homestead]

My bad; it's Scalex, not Pure Planet.
I can't bathe them in Permethrin, I have outdoor kitties and I don't want to risk poisoning them.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My bad; it's Scalex, not Pure Planet.
I can't bathe them in Permethrin, I have outdoor kitties and I don't want to risk poisoning them.

That says pyrethrin... which permethrin is supposed to be a synthetic form of. But I bet there are differences.

Maybe you need to be sure to get it all the way to the skin... with feathers spread if you're currently just spraying on the surface. Other than that the only thing I do differently than you describe is small spritz to the back nape of the neck (skin). I never soak them. This is the one I use...

It's possible you may have resistance in your area from folks over using and not doing follow up treatments to get the next generations and completely disrupt the life cycle. If that is the case then using the sevin might be good choice... or pour on ivermectin. I far prefer spritz over powder as powder shakes into the air instead of staying WITH the bird.

Don't give up... I know it's challenging!