I have a Belgian d'Uccle hen who is several years old that has, over the past maybe 2 years, gradually grown thinner. She is very thin now and Im not sure what to do for her. I have treated with Ivermectin for worms/parasites twice and she has been treated for Cocci to no avail. She eats regularly cracked corn/layer pellets and never misses a meal. I have her on medicated chick starter now for more protien. She eats treats of bread and pasta too. She is a little less active than most of my other hens.
She has no other symptoms that are obvious. No upper respiratory problems, no eye problems, sneezing, coughing, or discharge, no pasty or runny vent. And her feather quality is spectacular...she has a great show history, so no mites either. I had to ask a judge if I could still show her because she was so thin...I explain I had treated her for it but she just would not gain weight. They allowed me saying some are just thinner than others. But its getting to be too much now. The main thing I have noticed is that around her eyes is very pale, and her comb is as not vibrant as it should be. (It almost reminds me of enimia.) She also hasnt laid an egg in 2 years, which is heartbraking...she is a breathtaking bird, one of my best hens.
I dont what to do for her. For a while I tried to accept it as "maybe she is just a thinner chicken", but she is quite skinny now and not getting better. My d'Uccle line consists of many plump little birds, and Im just not sure what to do next. Im concerned I am going to lose her eventually. Any ideas or suggestions?
Oh, and my flock is NPIP certified.
Thanks!
She has no other symptoms that are obvious. No upper respiratory problems, no eye problems, sneezing, coughing, or discharge, no pasty or runny vent. And her feather quality is spectacular...she has a great show history, so no mites either. I had to ask a judge if I could still show her because she was so thin...I explain I had treated her for it but she just would not gain weight. They allowed me saying some are just thinner than others. But its getting to be too much now. The main thing I have noticed is that around her eyes is very pale, and her comb is as not vibrant as it should be. (It almost reminds me of enimia.) She also hasnt laid an egg in 2 years, which is heartbraking...she is a breathtaking bird, one of my best hens.
I dont what to do for her. For a while I tried to accept it as "maybe she is just a thinner chicken", but she is quite skinny now and not getting better. My d'Uccle line consists of many plump little birds, and Im just not sure what to do next. Im concerned I am going to lose her eventually. Any ideas or suggestions?
Oh, and my flock is NPIP certified.
Thanks!