Epsom salts - The cure for everything?

Following the death of much loved Baldrick the other day, I have been watching the chickens like a hawk! I am literally on poo watch! Today, Hetty was showing similar signs and lo and behold, she, also started to excrete yellow poo. Initially, she stayed in the nesting box and didn't move. I took the decision to separate her from the rest of the flock an lifted her into a box containing bedding to keep her cosy. Hetty was having none of it and escaped the box; suddenly she picked up and started to eat. I decided to separate her anyway and put her in the shed (much to her disgust as she wanted to be with her mates).

When you have to make a diagnosis, it couldn't be more difficult; chickens don't speak! Generally, you only have a few items in the medicine kit, but they work for several illnesses. It can often be a matter of best guess and in this case, I use epsom salts.

Epsom salt is a natural mineral; Magnesium Sulphate. It is soothing to the skin, so is good for soaking baths if a hen has a skin problem. It can also be used internally; it detoxifies toxins, if ingestion of a dangerous plant or poison has occurred. It acts as a laxative if your hen’s system needs flushing, or if her crop is impacted or the digestive process is blocked and will gently move things along. It’s a general cure for all (or many), so if you have a hen that has weak legs, no energy, appears ill without having respiratory symptoms, it can’t hurt to give a small dose of epsom salts. Dissolve 1 teaspoon in 30ml of lukewarm water. Use a syringe and put into the hens mouth bit by bit. If you put too much in, you will drown the hen's lungs. Hold her gently, making sure you have the wings so that she can't fly away. Allow her to swallow in between.  Hopefully, Hetty will be feeling better tomorrow.