The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Railway Chickens on October 25, 2009, 07:58:44 am

Title: Soft Eggs & Worms.
Post by: Railway Chickens on October 25, 2009, 07:58:44 am

Over the last 2/3 days one of our chickens has laid eggs that have had hardly any shell, they are just like a blob one of which seems to have come out while she was roosting which is most unlike her! I have also noticed this morning, one of the dropping in the house has some worms in it which appear to be dead, these are fairly large measuring about 5cm long and there are about 3 of them also there are a few watery looking droppings around the run.

I am not sure that these things are all connected to the same bird but cant help but feel they are, does anyone know what this could be?

Thank you,


Railway Chickens
Title: Re: Soft Eggs & Worms.
Post by: shetlandpaul on October 25, 2009, 08:23:48 am
the worms won't help so worm them. increase the oyster shell and give a vit supplement. its stress full at this time of year with the moult and weather getting worse. diffrent poos are quite normal but if worried there are drugs to deal with gut infections. but i would wait and see.
Title: Re: Soft Eggs & Worms.
Post by: Rosemary on October 25, 2009, 10:07:02 am
I agree with shetlandpaul. Eliminate the worms and supplement the diet. I give ours sunflower seeds and sardines.
Title: Re: Soft Eggs & Worms.
Post by: Railway Chickens on October 26, 2009, 06:38:25 pm
do you give them whole sardines or just the bones? are they cooked first? I've never heard of fish being used, am quite intrigued. I have wormed them with vermex, will be done over three days, it's been about three months since they were last done so hopefully this should work! Also, what vitamin suppliments do I give them, I am assuming they are specially for chickens and I can pick them up from local small holding store?

Thanks for help

Railway chickens  :)
Title: Re: Soft Eggs & Worms.
Post by: jameslindsay on October 26, 2009, 06:40:58 pm
My lot love prawns... Mind you that said I have not found anything they don't like. :chook:
Title: Re: Soft Eggs & Worms.
Post by: sheila on October 26, 2009, 07:01:12 pm
Half a can of Sardines everyday mixed with anything really. They love it!
Title: Re: Soft Eggs & Worms.
Post by: shetlandpaul on October 26, 2009, 07:18:39 pm
do you give them whole sardines or just the bones? are they cooked first? I've never heard of fish being used, am quite intrigued. I have wormed them with vermex, will be done over three days, it's been about three months since they were last done so hopefully this should work! Also, what vitamin suppliments do I give them, I am assuming they are specially for chickens and I can pick them up from local small holding store?

Thanks for help

Railway chickens  :)
there is a very good one made from kelp i can't remember its name.
Title: Re: Soft Eggs & Worms.
Post by: bamford6 on October 26, 2009, 07:51:32 pm
gut problem ...quick fix Orego-Stim Small Holder


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Title: Re: Soft Eggs & Worms.
Post by: little blue on October 26, 2009, 09:35:04 pm
Do tinned sardines count as 'animal derivatives?' if so, surely you cant feed them to chooks?
Having said that, our goat is very keen on the dog's cereal-based mixer, if she gets half a chance, so defra will be after us, if anyone.... (!)
Title: Re: Soft Eggs & Worms.
Post by: marigold on October 26, 2009, 10:21:37 pm
Never given my hens fish stuff - although I have been tempted to give them cold liver oil , cos I thought it would make the eggs taste fishy... Does it?
Title: Re: Soft Eggs & Worms.
Post by: doganjo on October 27, 2009, 12:12:52 am
Mine get a treat of porridge once a week with a tin of sardines mixed through.  I double up in winter putting honey in as an alternative instead of the sardines
Title: Re: Soft Eggs & Worms.
Post by: shetlandpaul on October 27, 2009, 08:32:34 am
Do tinned sardines count as 'animal derivatives?' if so, surely you cant feed them to chooks?
Having said that, our goat is very keen on the dog's cereal-based mixer, if she gets half a chance, so defra will be after us, if anyone.... (!)
of course it is but its upto the keeper to feed her hens the way she feels is best. a tin of human sardines i would guess is not a big health risk.
Title: Re: Soft Eggs & Worms.
Post by: shrekfeet on October 29, 2009, 10:45:36 am
Human sardines? Never had those, normally the fishy type in our shop!
 ;)