4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[jomo1972]

Can anybody help with this?

 

I've had an attack of flystrike recently. All but one of my chickens died. I think the surviving one is OK. I've checked her over regularly and I can't see any evidence of flystrike.

 

Problem is that she is still out of sorts. She won't come out of the coop unless I evict her! She is eating but only if I put the food under her nose. Also she won't eat food that she normally loves. Its really odd.

 

I wonder if she's upset at being alone. She's not laying either.

[Egluntyne]

She may well be pining for some company.

 

Why not take her to the vet for a once over, and if she gets the all clear, get her a couple of companions.

 

I'd also try her with some Avipro to perk her up a bit.

[jomo1972]

Its not that simple though. I normally adopt ex bats. I have to wait for a rescue. Also, would probably be a good idea to let her really recover.

 

Isn't it bad that she isn't laying?

[Egluntyne]

They do take breaks occasionally.

 

You say she won't come out of the coop, and is not eating very well.

 

Has she gone broody? There is a lot of it about at the moment.

 

Is she a bit snappy in temperament, and does she puff herself up and try to peck you when you boot her out?

[jomo1972]

Yes she does all of those things.

 

I was really worried about her because I thought she had flystrike. She was also attacked by a fox quite recently. I think she's survived both of those things but has left her feeling quite shocked. And it really doesn't help that she is alone now. Problem is that I don't want to get any more hens until I'm sure she's OK. I don't want to infect others.

[Egluntyne]

Well it sounds as if she might be broody.

 

You could let her sit it out, which might take a few weeks, but at least it could double up as a sort of quarantine, and you could observe her for signs of flystrike during its course.

 

Trouble is, they tend not to eat well during the broody phase, and lose condition.

 

Or you could snap her out of it, **see here** and give her a couple of weeks to build up her strength, and then get some more girls.

 

They aren't happy by themselves and do need company.

 

Why not put your name down for some ex-batts now, and let her get back to normal whilst you wait.

 

If she continues to give you cause for concern, I'd take her to the vet for a quick overhaul anyway.

 

Good luck.

[jomo1972]

Thats not a bad idea.

 

I had thought of giving up chicken keeping when all the others died in that horrible way. But now I've still got a healthy one I'm not going to slaughter her so I'll have to get others.

 

I'm really surprised though that all the others died of flystrike and she doesn't seem to have anything at all.

 

I've just given her a bath though and I can't see any evidence of that infection. She was attacked by a fox last week and is still slightly injured as a result but is on the mend.