Too early to molt?

[casportpony]

If she were mine, I would worm her again with Safeguard even though it's not supposed to be used during a molt and I would give it at 50mg/kg (.5ml per 2.2 pounds). A quick search says the RIR hens weigh 2.9kg, so that would be 1.45ml. This is the amount that my avian vet recommended.




-Kathy

 

[dawg53]

The wazine and safeguard got the worms. She's in molt. Give her buttermilk mixed with scrambled egg to eat. The buttermilk is a better probiotic than yogurt and will help rebuild her immune system. The scrambled egg is extra protein and will help build strength. Just in case, visually inspect her for lice. Continue the buttermilk/egg mixture for 3 days, then mix it in her feed for a few more days as a mash.
Do NOT reworm her while she's in molt. Molt causes enough stress on their system as it is. Also, safeguard (fenbendazole) will cause feathers to regrow stunted, ingrown, and bent when birds are in molt.

 

[casportpony]

If too little Safeguard was given, how can you one be sure that all worms are gone? And what I mean by that is is there a study anywhere that shows the efficacy of fenbendazole after giving single doses in various amounts and what the most effective dose would be?

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

And checking for lice and mites is always a good idea. And if she were mine, I would dust her even if I couldn't see any.

-Kathy

 

[dawg53]

If too little Safeguard was given, how can you be sure that all worms are gone?

-Kathy

Better PM the OP and ask them!

 

[casportpony]

Eggs are good, and I also use turkey/gamebird grower when I want to increase protein. They'll gobble it up when you add a little water to it. If you do add water to crumble, keep rations fresh as it does go rancid very quickly.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Better PM the OP and ask them!

Sorry, Dawg, I didn't mean you personally, I meant how can one know. Sure wish I could write better, lol. I have edited post #13 to try to say what I was thinking.

-Kathy

 

[austinclarksf]

She had a private pen at the time, and I dosed her at 4cc per gallon of water. She was drinking regularly, and I dosed her for four straight days with that being the only available water source.

I wormed because she was acting listless and sleepy- and the Wazine turned her around, got her active again. I hear that roundworms can be the hardest to kill, which has me worried. However, I have seen no worms on or near her, or anywhere in the coop. Not in her vent(s) or mouth/eyes.

She does not seem to be in a critical condition, but she is acting sick. My gut is telling me it's not just a molt. However, my gut is based on about a year of experience with chickens.

 

[austinclarksf]

No mites or lice on any of the hens, that I can see. I can dust them with DE or a medicated powder, but doesn't safeguard treat for external parasites as well?

What I want to know is: Does a hen become lethargic during a molt?

She never eats the pelleted food for some reason, so I regularly make pecker blocks or mashes to get her to eat a balanced diet. Maybe I should do more of that while she's molting?

It was encouraging to read that hen's waddles and combs shrivel when they molt, because that was my biggest red flag. When my hens were overcome with worms or cocci, they acted a lot more lethargic than she is acting now, and proceeded to act worse VERY quickly. Getting them to eat was a chore, and they would not perk up upon my approach.

Again, I still feel like if I don't take action above and beyond the normal she could get worse. I will try the probiotic protein idea, she'll like that. What signs should I be looking for in case this isn't just a hard molt for her?

 

[BantamLover21]

No mites or lice on any of the hens, that I can see. I can dust them with DE or a medicated powder, but doesn't safeguard treat for external parasites as well?

What I want to know is: Does a hen become lethargic during a molt?

She never eats the pelleted food for some reason, so I regularly make pecker blocks or mashes to get her to eat a balanced diet. Maybe I should do more of that while she's molting?

It was encouraging to read that hen's waddles and combs shrivel when they molt, because that was my biggest red flag. When my hens were overcome with worms or cocci, they acted a lot more lethargic than she is acting now, and proceeded to act worse VERY quickly. Getting them to eat was a chore, and they would not perk up upon my approach.

Again, I still feel like if I don't take action above and beyond the normal she could get worse. I will try the probiotic protein idea, she'll like that. What signs should I be looking for in case this isn't just a hard molt for her?

In answer to the bolded question: Yes, it is common for hens to act somewhat lethargic and ill during molting.