should i take to vet?

[theoldchick]

That's true of many species of parasites. There are many factors when performing a fecal: age of sample/the amount of feces/sample just might not have any oocysts/ poorly trained staff. I like to do the spin-down method if I have enough sample. Scientists claim spinning down the sample after it is strained in the proper solution and then spun in a centrifuge is a more accurate method, though it takes more time, uses more materials, so this method is often overlooked in many veterinary practices. Though a fecal sample can give a false negative result, it should never be overlooked as part of the diagnostic procedure in a challenging case.

 

[lagondiechooks]

Thanks for the reply. I think you may have hit the nail on the head - I do think they may have been bred for the table,(we were given them as 1 day old chicks from an agricultural merchants) plus I have been giving them a growers pellet, which I think here in France is probably a 'fattener' On top of that they are free range all day and we have lots of walnuts in the garden which they love....I'm going to limit their free time and pellet ration (now a lower protein, higher calcium pellet) and see how we go. In the meantime bath and mite powder. I'll try and trim fluffy butt feathers too!

 

[rebrascora]

Oh dear! It sounds like your ladies are in for a rude awakening when their rather rich diet comes to end. As with all of us, an appropriate diet is important, but hens in particular are quite finely tuned egg laying machines. If they are not getting the correct balance of nutrients, it can lead to quite serious issues. I hope you have caught them in time and they don't sulk too much over their new regime. Can you post some photos of them, to see if we can establish if they are table birds or perhaps dual purpose?