Sick Hen and Mites. Looks really sick....

[redsoxrule]

We have a three year old hen who has been bloated, walking unsteadily, and is hunched over. Recently we also saw she had mites. Is there anything we can do to get rid of the mites, and does anyone have any possible idea why she is sick?

Thank You

 

[leadwolf1]

You can use 5% sevin dust to get rid of the mites. Put some in an old pillow case, insert chicken up to its neck, and shake gently. This will coat the chicken in the sevin dust and contain alot of the mess. Or, you can use an old sock, fill with sevin and powder puff her all over...making sure to get all of her.

As for the illness, could she be eggbound? I don't have any experience with this but the symptoms sound familiar. Search for 'eggbound hen' in the search bar. There should be some great threads to help you out. I do know that the first step is to feel externally for a hard lump in the abdomen that could be an egg. Soak the hen in water water gently massaging the lump in the direction of her vent.

Has she ever been dewormed? This could also be a cause.

Good luck, hopefully more people will chime in with suggestions and help.

 

[dawg53]

You can use 5% sevin dust to get rid of the mites. Put some in an old pillow case, insert chicken up to its neck, and shake gently. This will coat the chicken in the sevin dust and contain alot of the mess. Or, you can use an old sock, fill with sevin and powder puff her all over...making sure to get all of her.

As for the illness, could she be eggbound? I don't have any experience with this but the symptoms sound familiar. Search for 'eggbound hen' in the search bar. There should be some great threads to help you out. I do know that the first step is to feel externally for a hard lump in the abdomen that could be an egg. Soak the hen in water water gently massaging the lump in the direction of her vent.

Has she ever been dewormed? This could also be a cause.

Good luck, hopefully more people will chime in with suggestions and help.

x2

 

[redsoxrule]

I'll try the sevin dust. I've also heard that DE works well. Does anyone know anything more about a stuck egg??

 

[dawg53]

I'll try the sevin dust. I've also heard that DE works well. Does anyone know anything more about a stuck egg??

Place the hen in a container of warm water up to her sides. Gently massage her underside front to rear while she's in the water for about 20 minutes. Then put on a disposable glove and put olive oil on your finger. Insert the finger into her vent checking for obstructions. Remove your finger and put olive oil just inside and outside of her vent.
Warm water relaxes muscles and expands her innards, massaging helps move the egg along. Finger inside the vent stretches it and olive oil makes it easier to lay the egg.

 

[redsoxrule]

Thanks for all of your help! I've looked up sevin dust online and it looks says that it is toxic for humans. It's really safe to put on the chickens? If it is do you wear a mask or some other protective gear?

 

[dawg53]

We've been using sevin dust in our vegetable gardens since the 60's. I've used it on my dogs and chickens for a long time. I'm still here typing.
Wear old clothes and a mask. Avoid the chickens eyes and nostrils. Once you dust your chickens, release them. They will shake themselves off and go about their business.

 

[redsoxrule]

I used the sevin dust (hope it works soon) and whe did the stuck egg procdure, but no egg, just some fluids.

 

[klmclain1]

You should start seeing results fairly quickly!