Worms, mites, something else?

[KatefromOz]

Hello! So I would love some advice please. A couple of days ago i noticed a worm in some chicken poop. From what I can tell it was a roundworm. I bought some kilverm and my husband wormed each of them (3 chooks) individually (they don't drink the water). I don't know who had the worms however presumed it was my sessex as she had a poopy bum. When my husband picked her up yesterday her feathers were quite matted around her belly and she looked alomst bald under there. We gave her a warm bath with a little baby shampoo and dried her off. This morning she looks totally fine and her butt wasn't poopy (well not yet anyway). So my best guess here is that she had the worms and her feathers loss may be related to that? Or perhaps has mites/lice? I had a look with a flashlight last night and couldn't see anything. Also there is no indication she ia broody. She is still laying normally. Now that brings me to my RIR. She hasn't laid an egg in 5 days. That is SO unusual. She lays 6 days per week, sometimes 10 days in a row so I'm a little concerned. She is acting completely normal otherwise. Can anyone help with what could be going on? It hasn't been overly hot but did rain for a couple of days about 4-5 days ago. Thanks in advance.

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you are here.

Pictures of your Sussex's balding area might be a big help in determining what is causing the feather issue.
Internal parasites do not usually result in feather-loss (unless it has been a long-term internal issue... Long term parasite issues can lead to mineral deficiency, which results in brittle feathers that break off easily). Is your RIR acting like she is laying when she isn't (i.e cackling, sitting in the nest box, etc...)? Are any of your chickens molting presently?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Feather loss sounds like molting & the lack of eggs due to the weather (shortening of the day & cooler).

 

[KatefromOz]

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Feather loss sounds like molting & the lack of eggs due to the weather (shortening of the day & cooler).

Thanks for your reply. I forgot to mention I'm in Australia so the weather is warm and the days are getting longer! Still it's possible my sussex is molting. Still trying to figure out the eggs

 

[KatefromOz]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you are here.

Pictures of your Sussex's balding area might be a big help in determining what is causing the feather issue.
Internal parasites do not usually result in feather-loss (unless it has been a long-term internal issue... Long term parasite issues can lead to mineral deficiency, which results in brittle feathers that break off easily). Is your RIR acting like she is laying when she isn't (i.e cackling, sitting in the nest box, etc...)? Are any of your chickens molting presently?

Thanks so much!! I just got home from work and my sessex looks good as new...she is really fluffy I'd have to grab her for a snap. Might be easier if i wait for my husband to get home. This might sound silly but looking at her today id have never known she was even balding...which got me thinking, do chickens even have a lot of feathers on their bellies? I guess they do? Anyway I will keep an eye on her and reworm them next week...and try for a photo before dark. As for my RIR, I hadn't noticed her making any funny noises or hanging out in the laying box...in saying that I work full time so who knows what goes on during the day. I just got the hose out to refill one of the water containers and noticed she was in the laying box area. She sort of stood around for a bit. Sat in the box for a minute then came back out. Not sure if it was the sight of tje hose but she is usually pretty chilled. Any suggestions on what could be going on? I have only jad the girls 3 months and they are about 7 months old (i think) so haven't dealt with molting. Its spring time here so thought they'd probably molt in fall? Thanks again!!

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

It is possible that your Sussex could just be experiencing natural feather thinning... In spring/summer. It is usually not very noticeable but chickens' feathers often thin a little when the weather gets warm. With my flock, it is the most noticeable on my welsummers, EEs and Orpingtons but even then, you can't tell unless you pick them up and feel the feather density.

 

[KatefromOz]

Thanks! I think that might be it. I will keep an eye on her just to be sure.
My RIR still hasn't laid. She seemed to be really thirsty this morning. She was drinking so fast she sort of did a little vomit. She also did a bit of a strange poop (sorry if you're eating). It was normal colour and maybe a little runny, BUT it was really foamy on top. Is that a concern? I did a bit of googling and they all metion yellow foamy poop, which this is not. Maybe I'm just trying to find things now!!!

It is possible that your Sussex could just be experiencing natural feather thinning... In spring/summer. It is usually not very noticeable but chickens' feathers often thin a little when the weather gets warm. With my flock, it is the most noticeable on my welsummers, EEs and Orpingtons but even then, you can't tell unless you pick them up and feel the feather density.

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

Hmmm... Though I can not be for sure without seeing it, it sounds like a cecal poo or diarrhea. A picture would help if you had one.

Chickens empty what is called the 'ceca' several times per day. The ceca is a small part in the chicken's digestive system that digests the stuff that has could not be digested by the rest of the chicken's digestive system. Cecal poos are usually slightly runny and light tan to burgundy/dark brown colored (sometimes foamy). However, diarrhea in chickens can be caused by worms (or other some diseases). This well written article (below) explains how to tell if chicken droppings are abnormal and might be a help to you: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive.html

As for the excessive thirst, that occasionally happens with hens that are busy with a good foraging spot and forget to drink (my free-range gals do that sometimes ) or when they are hot . However, If your chickens where in a limited area run that was fairly cool (below 90F) and/or it happens repeatedly, then you might have cause for concern. Then again... I am not an expert and am not acquainted with nearly all the chicken diseases that we know of.

Hope this helps anyhow though.

 

[KatefromOz]

Hmmm... Though I can not be for sure without seeing it, it sounds like a cecal poo or diarrhea. A picture would help if you had one.

Chickens empty what is called the 'ceca' several times per day. The ceca is a small part in the chicken's digestive system that digests the stuff that has could not be digested by the rest of the chicken's digestive system. Cecal poos are usually slightly runny and light tan to burgundy/dark brown colored (sometimes foamy). However, diarrhea in chickens can be caused by worms (or other some diseases). This well written article (below) explains how to tell if chicken droppings are abnormal and might be a help to you: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive.html

As for the excessive thirst, that occasionally happens with hens that are busy with a good foraging spot and forget to drink (my free-range gals do that sometimes ) or when they are hot . However, If your chickens where in a limited area run that was fairly cool (below 90F) and/or it happens repeatedly, then you might have cause for concern. Then again... I am not an expert and am not acquainted with nearly all the chicken diseases that we know of.

Hope this helps anyhow though.

Really can't thank you enough! It's nice to have someone to help out in these situations. I actually do a photo which i will upload. I didn't think it looked like typical cecal poop...but what's typical with these chicks lol. It's been 6 days now without eggs. My husband gave her crop a good massage last night..and said she seems generally heathly. No signs of molting or broodiness. I wonder if the worm treatment is making them thirsty? It's not overly hot here (yet) maybe 80f, and they have shade. Anyway my sussex has a pretty poopy butt again this morning so I might need to give her another wash. I didnt want to pick her up for a pic when i was ready to leavw for work lol. My huaband said the area on her belly is just completely raw. I'm stumped by these girls. Luckily my third chick is well, happy and laying haha. Thanks again!

 

[aart]

How old is this bird?
If she's not drinking, she may not be hydrated enough to make an egg.