Primrose has stopped laying

[greenmachine]

I always give my chickens names. Primrose a lowman brown has had worms and stopped laying I have been to the vet for worming stuff which I put 6 drops on the skin at the back of her neck. I have done the others aswell. Primrose has a pale wattle not very red? Will it go back to red and will she start laying again?
She has just ungone a huge molt and has a beautiful new coat. for several weeks now.

[Birdie Wife]

Hi greenmachine, welcome to the Grapevine! There are several other chicken-keepers on here too, so you should be able to get the answers you're looking for. I've only been keeping chickens for nearly a year, so maybe one of the more experienced Grapes could provide more info, but I'll pass on what I know.

There could be lots of reasons why Primrose isn't laying at the moment. If she has moulted recently it may take her a while to get back into full condition, you could give her some treat to help her along - many people use poultry spice for this purpose, and I've tried boiling an egg, shelling it and crunching the shell to fine powder, mashing the egg, then mixing it all up with some bio yoghurt - they loved it! She might also be feeling a bit off-colour if she's suffering from worms, so by giving her worming stuff this should clear it up (I'm maybe just not experienced enough - but I haven't heard of wormer that is taken on the skin - usually it's a food supplement - just wondering if it was definitely a wormer you gave her?). Finally, if the weather's pretty bad, this might put her off too, but my hens have been laying now for a while as the weather is cheering up and I can't believe it's that bad in the Channel Islands at the mo!

Her wattle will return to red once she's laying again. Hope she starts producing lovely eggs again for you soon!

[CountryFayre]

Ivomectin can be used as a wormer if prescribed by a vet (its not licenced for general use on poultry so don't go and buy it and do it yourslef).

I did post the question earlier when you last posted that I am not sure why you think it is worms. Only that if one had worms then they are most likely all going to have them. I would check the house thoroughly for parasites.

[yoanbob]

we put a hand full of somthing or other earth in there food twice a year to prevent worms, wouldnt worry about not laying tho, it happens from time to time,.
as for pale combs and wattles, we put on vaseline with aloe vera in winter to keep the blood flowing and stop them getting chapped in the cold.

[greenmachine]

Thanks grapes,
Yes all have been wormed with this drop stuff from the vet six drops on the back of the neck. I have looked at the chicken houses which were brand new and expensive last year and they only have a few cobwebs in them. The spiders should eat any bugs i hope.
We will power wash them out again as we did last summer when the weather is warmer they come up a treat I don't believe in disinfectant but I do use my ecover washing up stuff.
I have just had a very soft egg could this be primrose starting to lay again. They have loads of hen grit, oyster shells and cuttle fish so they can take there pick plus they free range or sould I say demolish any part of the garden they have access to , don't you just love them even when after loads of gardening they stool my lunch, too quick for me.

[Birdie Wife]

Poultry shield is a good cleaner specifically designed for hen houses, it cleans and disinfects and acts as a barrier to red mite too, I know people who swear by it.

[yoanbob]

also try grapefruit extract, works a treat.
yes jelly eggs could be a sign they are ready to start again, good luck

[greenmachine]

grapefruit extract

Tuber
Tell me more about grapefruit extract sounds very organic.
Where can I get it from anywhere on line.

[daisychook]

chook treat

Mine love muesili and live bio yoghurt as a treat,. My cream legbar (daisy) went all pale comb & wattle, and stopped laying. Kept up with the yoghurt and muesili as a treat every three days or so, and she eventually perked up.
I have only had chickens since last July, and panic at everything, and thought she was a gonna because she stopped laying and went all pale.
Now I understand its a big learning process!!!!

I am sure shes fine!!