Nik.D Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Hello. I wonder if anyone could help. My chicken looks sad. I say she looks sad what i mean is she suddenly doesn't want to raise her head up. She seems to just keep it close to her chest, pulled in. Shes eating ok, but no eggs for a while. thank you in advance. Nik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsm_jones Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Have you got just the one chicken? Maybe she needs a friend? My chicken was sad for a while when her best friend dies, even though there were 2 other chickens, but all three are buddies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Maybe some extra cuddle time? Or Treats? Maybe suffering from bullying? Not really sure... Sure someone'll come along and sort it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik.D Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 Hello. thanks for the quick replies. Just to clarify, we have three chickens now. Bluebell was originally one of two, but the fox came one Sunday afternoon around 5.00pm and took her friiend Snowdrop away. We got the new pair to cheer her up and for a while she was very much the top bird, then after a bit they where all happy together. But as the others confidence grew she seems to have become a bit fed up and now just looks sad. It was around 12 weeks ago the incident happen. Not sure how the memory is on a chicken but I guess she could still be upset. regards Nik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Maybe she's still sad about their friend or that the others are friendlier with each other than with her, so she feels like a third wheel? How complicated these little chicken minds are... Hope that helps x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Is it possible she could have something wrong with her?? I'm thinking lice or worms or something could be making her look sad. I would have thought she should be happy with her new chums - might be worth giving her a good look over.......and a cuddle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 I would check her out to see if there is something bothering her, maybe lice or worms as Sandychick has suggested? Or maybe she is just fed up at not being top chook any more as the other 2 have taken over Bring her into the kitchen & give her some treats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 I'd worm her as a precaution, and see if she improves, poor thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Welcome to the forum Nik.D . Sorry to hear about your sad chicken . I'd check her over as suggested. She's not laying any softies is she? That can make them look miserable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik.D Posted August 15, 2008 Author Share Posted August 15, 2008 Thank you for all the advice. I will do what has been suggested and let you know if she cheers up. regards Nik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 I think it's likely that she's ill; the problem is that without other symptoms it can be very hard to know what's wrong with her....and therefore how to treat her. I agree that checking for lice/mites and worming her is a good first step. Also try giving her some treats to see if she'll eat them: I think being off her food is a poor sign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillus Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 One of my hens was sad and depressed recently and when I checked her over she was covered in lice. She perked up within days of her delousing and is back to her old happy self again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik.D Posted August 18, 2008 Author Share Posted August 18, 2008 Hello Jillus. thank you for your response. I have check her over and can't see any lice. She is missing some feathers though, on her chest and and bottom. Did yours have any feathers missing? regards Nik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 It sounds like she could be being bullied, Nik. Watch them together and see if the others are pecking her feathers out?? I think they can peck their own feathers out if lice are bothering them but if you haven't seen anything obvious on her it's unlikely to be that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 or lice - that makes them itch and they then pull their own feathers out. Give her a course of wormer, some louse powder on her and in the nest box and perhaps some poultry spice in porrige with grapes as a treat booster. My one remaining chook from the original girls does get a bit glum sometimes and does not lay much ( I think she has egg drop syndrome) but is usally cheered up by some treat and goodness filled porrige and a bit of time out from the new girls (despite the factt hat she bullies primrose almost all the time) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik.D Posted August 23, 2008 Author Share Posted August 23, 2008 Not looking good. She picked up briefly for a while, but now looks not good at all. I treated her for lice, popped some chicken spice in her food, verm-x etc. But she now is off food and is simply sitting with her eyes closed and generally looking very weak. I would take her to the vet but they are closed and i'm worried that she may not make it over the bank holiday. Can anyone give me some advice, is there a food she may take? Porridge? she has been drinking but seems too weak to get to the water. regards Nik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Oh Crumbs I cant offer any advice at all just wanted to say my thoughts are with you and hope she picks up Fingers crossed someone will be along with some help and advice in a minute Kitty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyReckless Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Gosh, hope she picks up soon! How does her crop feel? Have you had a look at her vent? Will she eat if it's a favourite treat like grapes or sweetcorn? (sorry if I'm asking the obvious!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 That sounds very similar to how my poor bumble went. It was a fairly slow decline for her. I took her to a fantastic vet who suggested that we bring her in to keep her warm. She said that when hens are poorly they can get cold quickly, she also said that if they are underweight they loose heat quite fast. Bumble didnt look obviously underweight, but vet weighted her and said she was. We had her in a box (on its side) the kitchen with newspaper all over the floor. Vet also suggested mealworms as they are very high in nutrients and my girls certainly seem to love them. Bumble was put on pain killer and antibiotic and sadly after a week with no improvement and more weight loss the vet put her to sleep and she went to hen heaven. I hope this doesn't happen to your chook. Hope my message doesn't alarm you. I wanted to share the vets advice with you though. (Also if she is separated you will know what her poos look like so can tell / show the vet if you decide to take her.) Good luck with her. I really hope she gets better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik.D Posted August 24, 2008 Author Share Posted August 24, 2008 Sadly Bluebell died last night. Thank you for everyones advice and good wishes. kind regards Nik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 Oh I am so sorry to hear that thinking of you and lots of hugs x Kitty Flora Goldline Fauna Goldline Merryweather Valerie Maisie Princess Aurora Maleficent Living the life of Riley in a Tetley and Beaney, The black cat sisters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 I am so sorry to hear that. I'm sure she had a good life while she was with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyReckless Posted August 24, 2008 Share Posted August 24, 2008 so sorry, Pam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
