Hi , I wonder if anyone could give me some advice , One of my bantams is poorly she just stands around with her eyes closed and every so often she keeps on opening her beak ? My next door neighbour said it could be gapeworm ?? I've ordered some flubenvet which should arrive tomorrow.. This has been going on for about three days..Any ideas guys ?
Poorly Hen
- Thread starter Mark71
- Start date
Have you used Flubenvet before to worm your hens? If so how long ago? Unless she is the only bird you have, it would be best to do all of them at the same time. Is she the only one with problems?
chrismahon
Well-known member
It could be many other things as well Mark, like the onset of a respiratory infection. Gapeworm is rare, respiratory problems are common. What are her poos like and is her crop full or empty during the day? Have you introduced any new birds in the last few weeks? You may have problems admistering the Flubenvet if she won't eat -there are recent threads on this very subject worth reading.
foxy
Active member
chrismahon said:
Yes I think you are along the right tracks with a respiratory problem
I have four bantams the other three are fine all poo seems to be ok ...One thing i have noticed is all four don't seem to be eating as much as a couple of months ago one is moulting at present... the coop is cleaned one a week with poultry shield and poo picked every day oh they all have pale combs at the moment
chrismahon
Well-known member
They will have pale combs if they are not laying and also if they are moulting. Some of ours have started a second moult -must be the weather confusing them. I know you are using Poultry Shield Mark, but that doesn't kill red mite. Are you sure there aren't any lurking around in the coop somewhere. Two of our coops were really bad with red mite for Winter -it's too mild.
It's more likely to be a chest infection than gapeworm which is not common. I agree with Chris, this mild weather has allowed redmite to live and thrive and Poultry Shield is unlikely to kill them (it never did for me). I put the out of season moulting down to the weather as well.
VALBURNHAM
New member
sorry to jump in here but are you saying that poutry sheild does not work. I was advised to use it. I have cresoted one house and limewashed the others so hopefuly I am clear but this has surprised me as many people recommed poultry sheild.
foxy
Active member
VALBURNHAM said:
No don't be sorry! A very valid point. Whilst poultry shield does work, the mode of action does take time, and due to prolific ability to reproduce the mite can reach numbers which render Poultry Shield relatively ineffective in a severe infestation. It is and will be the first port of call in prevention and treatment of red mite. In a major infestation usually a "knock down" approach is required, which means resorting to an insecticide based product.
It is good practice not to recommend the more powerful products initially for two reasons..risk to health/environment due to improper application and secondly increasing the incidence of mite resistance to the insecticides main ingredient.
Everyone however evolves their system for managing red
mite and the trick is to find one that works for you!
chrismahon
Well-known member
Hi Val. Poultry Shield used to be sold as a general disinfectant and red mite killer but was downgraded. The label no longer claims to kill red mite -at least it doesn't on my bottle. In my experience it has as much effect as washing up liquid - almost none. Red mite rapidly evolve to suit their environment anyway, so if any single product is regularly present they will evolve immunity to it. We had some coops where Smite was effective and some where it was not. In some the stronger Nettex wasn't effective and they have been creosoted internally to kill them. So as Foxy says keep using it, but if red mite take hold you will need something progressively stronger.
How is she today, Mark?
chrismahon
Well-known member
I'd keep going with the Poultry Shield Mark until you need something stronger. As Marigold says, don't throw a lot of heavy duty chemicals at the coop for no reason. Keep the use of them in reserve for if you do get a problem, otherwise you are encouraging strains with developed immunity.
I took my hen to vet yesterday as she took turn for the worse and she was put to sleep. The vet said she had been ill for some time but I had only noticed a few days back I'm gutted but I still got 3 bantams that need caring for and I think I'm gonna convert my old shed and get some large fowl probaly Rhode island reds.....thanks once again to you all for your help
chrismahon
Well-known member
Sorry to hear that Mark. You certainly did all you could for her. Chickens hide their illness for as long as they can, otherwise the rest of the flock may attack them. So by the time they reveal that they are ill it's often too late to help. We've had a few like that.
cuwiar
New member
Sorry to hear your news Mark - best wishes for the ret of your flock!
