Single hen

[kazhoney]

Hi all

 

One of my hens has been very poorly since laying her first egg on Monday. I came home from work Tuesday evening and she did not want her usual treats. Not even meal worms.

 

I took her to the vet Wednesday first thing and he said he could see nothing physically wrong. Her crop was full, her vent clean, no lice. Her eyes looked bright to him (though to me they look rather odd and dull). He could not see anything wrong and was reluctant to prescribe antibiotics. He thought she might be in shock at laying her first egg. Took her home and she stood still and slept lots on Wednesday, drinking only a little water and not eating anything.

 

This morning I gave her some grapes first thing which she eat with relish as I'd read on the forum it was a good way to get water into them. She drank lots and has had some grit. She has done a very small amount of pecking and scratching but is still standing still and sleeping. There is a trail of dried on yellow yolk like substance on her fluff coming from her vent area this morning, which is normally very clean.

 

Is she having trouble passing eggs maybe? The vet says she is not egg bound and he could feel another one forming. Her first egg felt like I could crush it with my hand if I squeezed.

 

They have all the layers pellets, grit and water they could need, I have this morning also put down some shell grit in case she is lacking in calcium. I put chicken spice in the food and ACV and grapefruit extract in the water. I clean the eglu and area regularly and the other two are very bright and perky hens. They have a nice sized area to run around in with a willow tree to hide under and I try to keep them occupied with sweetcorn to peck as an occasional treat and the like. So I'm guessing this might be an egg related problem. Any thoughts please? If she is having trouble forming eggs, is there anything I can do for her, other than take her back to the vet? Though I'm worried this might stress her even more if she is stressed. She's not laid another egg since Monday.

 

 

Many thanks.

 

Karen

[kazhoney]

Reading through some of the previous posts on the site, do you think it could be peritonitis? The duck waddling, John Wayne walk sounds familiar.

[stoice]

Sounds like she's working on a softie to me - they can feel quite rotten and withdrawn when one is on it's way, then magically perk up until the next one. Quite usual for a young bird who's just started laying - takes a while for her laying gear to sort itself out. Will sort itself out eventually. Just make sure she's perky and eating and drinking and she should soon feel better.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm sure I replied to this thread this morning . Oh well .

 

It sounds a bit like a softie to me too . Sometimes they can take a while to get the egg laying routine sorted when they start out.

 

If the vet's ruled everything else out - and you sound like you're doing everything possible - I don't know what else to suggest. Sorry .

 

Edit: just realised I did post this morning, it's just been moved to the Clinic . I'm not losing it after all .

[kazhoney]

Thanks guys. She's eating a bit more now, managed to tempt her with corn, looks a little brighter and more responsive. Keeps popping in and out of the henhouse but no egg yet, just a lot of messy poo. Fingers crossed x

[Egluntyne]

You say you took her first thing on Wednesday and her crop was full.

 

Had she had a big breakfast before you took her?

 

Ordinarily the crop should be empty, first thing.

 

The other symptoms do sound egg related though.

[chocchick]

If she is having trouble forming eggs, is there anything I can do for her, other than take her back to the vet?

Holding her (not too close) wrapped in a towel over boiling water to warm the muscles (until you or chicken gets bored). Might help pass an egg if she looks poorly.

I use Shellstim (if you can still get hold of it ) for soft eggs as not found grit to work. ACV is supposed to be good for absorbing calcium.

If you feel the backside of the chicken surrounding the vent, back from hips, you can sometimes feel an egg, but sometimes the chicken can pull it into the body.

For crop and egg problems together bread soaked in olive oil.

[Egluntyne]

Shelstim is no longer available.

 

ZolcalD is very similar.

[kazhoney]

Hi all

 

She picked up yesterday afternoon after some tlc and seems much more her old self and in the next box this morning was a soft shelled egg. Only one hen has laid today and yesterday though so I am now wondering if it is a calcium problem. Having read other posts I've brough some limestone flour and I'm hoping this will make a difference, might try the potato mash trick too. Thanks guys.

 

Karen

[Mel (& Paul)]

Oh I AM pleased -that sounds so positive

[lisa33]

Glad she's getting better, Karen.

 

When do I get to see some pictures of your girls?