I have four two year old laying hens two Black Stars and two Americaunas. One of the Black Stars has begun walking with a strange sideways gait, and sort of squats while she is walking. It is mostly to the left, and she positions her head on the opposite side of her body like she is trying to balance. Her appetite is good and she is drinking water. She has had other problems. Last spring I observed her "gaping" a few times and worried about gape worm. She seemed to get over the behavior and also seemed healthy and active. Early Summer, she and the other black went into their first molt and she started laying soft and shell-less eggs. I attributed it to the molt because later she began laying good eggs again but the shells were more fragile than the other girls. Now she is molting again even more heavily and no longer laying. I had decided that I didn't care about the eggs because she is part of the flock and the other three lay enough eggs for our family.
I am concerned that it might be Merrick"s. I know the other three will have already been exposed, and I have no way to isolate this hen. I'm not sure where it would have come from as they have lived in the same corner of the yard for a year and a half. One thing - Our yard (their yard) has become a feed lot for the neighborhood doves. They get into their coop, drink their water and eat their food. I am constantly chasing them away, as many as 30 at a time. Are there diseases that can be aquired from wild birds?
They eat organic layer pellets with additional rolled oats and hard wheat (sometimes flax and sunflower seeds). They get yogurt, greens, and meat scraps (no chicken) as well as other vegetable trimmings. They all seem healthy, but this girl has problems. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I am concerned that it might be Merrick"s. I know the other three will have already been exposed, and I have no way to isolate this hen. I'm not sure where it would have come from as they have lived in the same corner of the yard for a year and a half. One thing - Our yard (their yard) has become a feed lot for the neighborhood doves. They get into their coop, drink their water and eat their food. I am constantly chasing them away, as many as 30 at a time. Are there diseases that can be aquired from wild birds?
They eat organic layer pellets with additional rolled oats and hard wheat (sometimes flax and sunflower seeds). They get yogurt, greens, and meat scraps (no chicken) as well as other vegetable trimmings. They all seem healthy, but this girl has problems. Any suggestions would be appreciated.