Poor layers / pale livers.

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Poor layers / pale livers.

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perlogalism

Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Posts: 440
Location: Near Welshpool

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 14 10:26 am Post subject: Poor layers / pale livers.

We've got a mixed mongrel lot of chickens which have lately left of laying! Of the 45 birds we have we're averaging about 18 eggs a day. Feeling that there were a few malingers in the flock, I've taken to lay-testing individuals and if they don't produce anything in 3 - 4 days then they're for the pot.

Of the two I've culled so far, both have pale livers and I'm wondering if there's any relationship between the state of the the livers and the egg production? Any thoughts or suggestions please?

Oh, they're free to roam and are fed on Mixed corn, Mixed flakes and Layers Pellets.

Thanks

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 14 10:38 am Post subject:
Do you worm them and have you examined their droppings under a good magnifying glass to check for worms?

perlogalism

Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Posts: 440
Location: Near Welshpool

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 14 11:22 am Post subject:
We do worm them (infrequently) but did it last about 2 months ago, around the time that the laying started to decline. I've also checked for mite in their house and on the birds themselves. Must admit to not inspecting their droppings with a magnifying glass

chickenlady

Joined: 18 Aug 2013
Posts: 413
Location: Dorset

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 14 3:47 pm Post subject:
? old/damp feed ? https://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/examfinding/799

perlogalism

Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Posts: 440
Location: Near Welshpool

Posted: Sat Aug 09, 14 4:40 pm Post subject:

chickenlady wrote:

? old/damp feed ?

Unlikely - They get through it at a fair rate and we only buy it as we need it. What we have is in my workshop so it's dry and at a constant, reasonable temperature.

I've been doing a bit more reading about worming and have learned a lot about the life cycle of worm / eggs. ' reckon it's worth worming them again and once more in 3 weeks to break the egg cycle. Does that sound reasonable?

As to wormer, what do you all use? I've used Flubenvet up to now but it's flippin expensive for 40 birds

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