What did you do with your flock today?

[ChicksnMore]

She died a couple hours ago.

So sorry popo

 

[Shetland lover]

She laid probably once or twice a week. Thank you for this information, which can't really be found elsewhere. I am thankful for your vast knowledge.

You know if I can help I will. Not a vet though!
The low rate of eggs laying does suggest ALV (avian leukosis virus) as a possibility. The good news is that the virus is killed in the environment by most disinfectants and doesn't live long without a host anyway at ambient temperatures, so with good husbandry is unlikely to spread. Like I said, she could have died from a whole host of reasons but to be sure, I'd probably do a thorough clean of the coop and run.

 

[Shetland lover]

Many antibiotics are pulled from stores.

This is a problem we've had for years over here. I ask anyone I know who's going to a country where you can buy otc to bring me some back.

 

[Shetland lover]

I've bought antibiotics from here a couple times now. Overseas so no prescription needed.

https://homelabvet.com/product-category/antibiotics-pharmacy/

Just had a look. Definitely will be using them!

 

[PopoMyers]

Just had a look. Definitely will be using them!

Which ones do you keep on hand?

 

[PopoMyers]

You know if I can help I will. Not a vet though!
The low rate of eggs laying does suggest ALV (avian leukosis virus) as a possibility. The good news is that the virus is killed in the environment by most disinfectants and doesn't live long without a host anyway at ambient temperatures, so with good husbandry is unlikely to spread. Like I said, she could have died from a whole host of reasons but to be sure, I'd probably do a thorough clean of the coop and run.

Her sister has also slowed down on laying, so must be breed and age. Sapphire Blue. 3+ years old. No one else is showing any signs of illness.
Thank you!

 

[PopoMyers]

Meanwhile, the run renovation by DH is coming along nicely. He is putting up solid roofing so we both can get under it without bending over. Now we can take the tarps down.

I have one leghorn that will come and look for broken eggs every time I open the nesting box lid. If I'm not quick, she will snatch it, if there, and take off with it. Been having some weak shells here and there. I think I need to switch back to layer pellets, now that they are all hens. Some of them didn't get the memo to eat oyster shell, too. Usually it's my sapphires and coppers.

 

[Shetland lover]

Which ones do you keep on hand?

I usually have a very small stock of tylosin (tylan), doxyclycline, enrofolaxin (baytril) and amoxicillin. Obviously, you have to be very careful with dosage, how you administer it and egg withdrawal periods (I tend to use Poultry DMV and NOAH for finding this information). You also have to be mindful of which birds shouldn't be given certain treatments, e.g. doxycycline should not be given to birds with liver/ kidney disease. Antibiotics should be used cautiously and as a last resort. A lot of chicken infections are viral and therefore antibiotics will be of no benefit generally. A vet should be consulted if at all possible.

 

[Shetland lover]

Her sister has also slowed down on laying, so must be breed and age. Sapphire Blue. 3+ years old. No one else is showing any signs of illness.
Thank you!

Breed and age are huge factors in egg laying. Also, the number of eggs a hen will lay in her lifetime is predetermined at birth, they hatch containing an egg follicle for every egg they will ever lay. Of course, this predetermined amount is then affected by other factors during the hen's lifespan, for example, certain illnesses can prevent some of those follicles developing into eggs.

 

[Shetland lover]

Meanwhile, the run renovation by DH is coming along nicely. He is putting up solid roofing so we both can get under it without bending over. Now we can take the tarps down.

I have one leghorn that will come and look for broken eggs every time I open the nesting box lid. If I'm not quick, she will snatch it, if there, and take off with it. Been having some weak shells here and there. I think I need to switch back to layer pellets, now that they are all hens. Some of them didn't get the memo to eat oyster shell, too. Usually it's my sapphires and coppers.

The run re-vamp sounds great, we put up a solid roof about 2 years ago. Beats tarps hands down!

Mine will not eat layers pellets AT ALL, so pellets of any kind are a complete waste of money for me. Plus, I have the two roos to consider as their calcium intake has to be limited. Although the pair of them love helping themselves to eggshells!

Since your girls are all of laying age, you could maybe add a liquid supplement to their water or a powder supplement to their existing pellets?