The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Hillview Farm on March 27, 2016, 05:46:06 pm

Title: unwell hen
Post by: Hillview Farm on March 27, 2016, 05:46:06 pm

This morning one of our hens didn't come out of the house when I let them out. She's been laying and had a bright red comb but this morning it's pale. When she did come out she was seen stood hunched with her tail down but is interested in food.

We lost our cock a few weeks back and his comb turned purple so I'm now worried something is linked? They haven't been wormed for a while could this be the cause? How often should they be wormed?

I'll check her crop in the morning when she comes out. Any ideas?

Title: Re: unwell hen
Post by: Backinwellies on March 27, 2016, 06:10:07 pm

Sounds like worms.   Advice says worm every 6 months but this must be dependant on where they are I would think.    I managed a rapid rescue of one like this a few weeks ago with  kitten and puppy panacur.

Title: Re: unwell hen
Post by: Hillview Farm on March 27, 2016, 06:20:41 pm

Panacur from the vet or can you buy over the counter?

Title: Re: unwell hen
Post by: Marches Farmer on March 27, 2016, 06:21:07 pm

Pale comb could be a number of things but purple comb almost certainly heart problem and therefore unlikely to be connected. 

Title: Re: unwell hen
Post by: Backinwellies on March 27, 2016, 06:26:38 pm

Can buy from pet store (not licenced for poultry)

Title: Re: unwell hen
Post by: harmony on March 27, 2016, 06:59:51 pm

If you have one with worms and they are over due then they all need doing. Buy feed with it already added.

Title: Re: unwell hen
Post by: Hillview Farm on March 27, 2016, 09:54:51 pm

So if we get flubenvet and do the lot I take it she'd still need the panacur first?

Or would flubenvet be enough? Or do the whole lot with panacur? How much do you give them?

Title: Re: unwell hen
Post by: Backinwellies on March 28, 2016, 08:02:39 am

Flubenvet is prescribed wormer for hens ... either added to food or water ....  my hen wasn't eating so that wouldn't have worked anyway!  Use Flubenvet for flock as prescribed .. medicated food is easiest (see other tread for stockists.  I used Panacur as it goes straight down throat on one not eating .. this is not licenced for poultry  though sheep/pig wormers are often used.   I used kitten panacur and followed doesage for weight -ish.

Title: Re: unwell hen
Post by: Hillview Farm on March 29, 2016, 07:31:03 am

Thank you for your help :) wormed her yesterday. On the panacur box it says to do it for three days. Should I do that?

Title: Re: unwell hen
Post by: Backinwellies on March 29, 2016, 07:45:52 am

Yes

Title: Re: unwell hen
Post by: Hillview Farm on March 29, 2016, 08:04:30 am

Your a star. How quickly Should I see an improvement? She seemed a little more active this morning but not keen to do too much and stays in the house

Title: Re: unwell hen
Post by: Backinwellies on March 29, 2016, 08:12:41 am

Providing it works ,.. I've had 50% success ..a couple of days

Title: Re: unwell hen
Post by: Hevxxx99 on March 30, 2016, 11:11:18 am

Are you sure there are no other external parasites, like red mite or lice?

It could be anaemia due to blood sucking. You'd think they'd all be equally affected but it doesn't always work that way.