Expert chicken advice!

[Sara]

What's your chicken keeping question? Whether you're a newbie or have had hens for years, our experts are here to help. GYO magazine has teamed up with the pros at The Chicken Vet to provide you with top quality solutions to your chicken keeping problems.
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Simply post your questions below – the Chicken Vet team will answer their favourite five each month. Three Q&A replies will be posted online and the remaining two will be published in the magazine. These two star letters will also receive an amazing Chicken Vet Mite Powder or
Chicken Vet Poultry Shield from the Chicken Vet.


Your questions may be edited before publication.

Interested in bees, too? Take a look at 'What's the Buzz' for beekeeping help from The Bee Vet.

[jessmorris]

What is the best way to find out what is wrong with a hen? Many vets just don't have a clue. They generally give a Baytril injection and that's that.

[VirginVegGrower]

Or give Baytril by medicine for anything not respiratory. Tylan for respiratory. Why are fowl so hard to diagnose when their system is so simple? We have tried three vets now and they're great with domestic pets but useless with hens.
Most symptoms cover several diseases so if your diagnosis is somewhat generic, is this why vets treatment is somewhat generic too?

[Nicos]

How can I minimise my free ranging hens from picking up mites/lice from wild birds ??

[busylizzy]

Hi All, I would like to start keeping chickens but I am worried about pests that they can catch...If I am the only back yard hen keeper in my street is it safe to say these red mites will not be a problem to me in any case. Also, as I have a very small back yard which is my biggest problem could you tell me what sort of area/space each chicken should have to wander around in...I don't want to keep chickens if I am going to be making them miserable because I cant give them enough space to run around in.

Any advise would be welcome as I would love to keep some chickens!! Ta Busylizzy :-))))

[houseofhigson]

We acquired 2 pol hens last week but after a week of bullying from our 3 older hens we have had to remove them due to them being badly pecked. One new hen is very stressed. How can we restore peace and harmony?

Many thanks

[zazen999]

This thread is for questions to the Chicken experts - so I am going to remove any answers otherwise it defeats the object!

[Sara]

Thanks everyone, these are great questions. Keep them coming! Our expert is happy to help newbies or experienced chicken keepers.

[rachel banks]

Hiya, I have a hen Ive been nursing for about a month now, the vet diagnosed her with sinusitis as a result of infection and prescribed Tylan. She is on the mend but still very snotty and so infectious. Looking on line I think she may have the infection 'Mycoplasma Gallisepticum' or similar. She is on the mend now and almost better but Ive been told she may be a permenant carrier now so wont be able to go back with the rest of the flock?

Thanks
Rachel

[Sara]

Answers from The Chicken Vet


Thanks for the great chicken-keeping questions, everyone. GYO is excited to bring you expert answers to your recent posts. These tips have been provided by the poultry gurus at The Chicken Vet. We've even included two of the best Q&As in this month's magazine. See our June issue (on sale in May) for The Chicken Vet's advice on HouseofHigson and Nicos' bird-related dilemmas.


Q. I have a hen I have been nursing for about a month now, the vet diagnosed her with sinusitis as a result of infection and prescribed Tylan. She is on the mend but still very snotty and so infectious. Looking on line I think she may have the infection 'Mycoplasma Gallisepticum' or similar. She is on the mend now and almost better but I have been told she may be a permanent carrier now so wont be able to go back with the rest of the flock?

A. Mycoplasma gallisepticum is a viral disease of chickens and they will exhibit runny eyes, sneezing, off colour and can suffer with sinusitis. Tylan is commonly used to treat this condition and birds can often make a good recovery but if they have been infected with Mycoplasma then they can become latent carriers. However, there are other viral infections that can cause these symptoms and the only way to know for sure is by doing a blood test. The disease is highly infectious and it may be that your other birds are already infected but are just not showing symptoms at this time, ie. they are carriers. Hens will often shed the virus if they become stressed eg. when moving house, predator been around, new birds introduced, running out of water/food can even cause enough stress to shed the virus. Re introducing the hen depends on your set up, if your birds are pets and you keep just a few for some eggs then we would not suggest getting rid of her but you need to be aware that this condition possibly exists in the rest of your flock, if you were a breeder then this may be a different consideration.

Q. What is the best way to find out what is wrong with a hen? Many vets just don't have a clue. They generally give a Baytril injection and that's that.

A. It has generally been very difficult to find a vet that knows a lot about chicken problems and treatments, unfortunately vets do not get many lectures at University on poultry disease. This has become more obvious as more people have started keeping chickens, there are now many poultry sites which list recommended poultry vets. Chicken Vet now holds training courses for vets from all over the UK on poultry disease and management. Once a vet has attended our training day they have the opportunity of becoming an Associated Practice. Have a look at our website to see if there is a vet near you. If not then always ring your vet and find out if there is one at your practice happy to see chickens, they will usually let you know if they are not happy to see them.


Don't worry if you haven't had chance to ask a question about your chooks. Our experts will be answering even more queries for July's magazine. Just keep an eye out for our upcoming thread!

[Mavis 4]

Hi
I've got 3 bantams that have their own coup and run but I also let them wander the whole garden when we are home.
My lawn is look very sad at the moment with weeds and dry patches and in the past I've used Evergreen Feed and weed liquid to great effect. However I'm worried that it may be dangerous to my chickens and I'm hoping somebody can let me know if I can use it and if so how long I should keep chickens away from the treated area to make sure it is safe?
Thanks
Mavis4

[kentish girl]

Hi
My 2 year old silver seabright female has started crowing in the morning !! my other 3 girls are all broody so she is alone quite a bit, what can I do to stop her as it will annoy the neighbours?
Thanks
Louise

[Lottieknees]

Why do many vets prescribe Baytril when it's not licensed for poultry and Denaguard is. Also Denaguard (it would appear) be much better for dealing with cases of Myco for example?

Another vet told me the above by the way and I shall be asking for Denaguard next time one of my hens need ABs.