Single hen

[chuckmum]

Dear all, I am very new to this but not to keeping hens as we had 4 some years back which were all healthy and died a natural death (by fox) when they were about 4 years old.

 

I love chickens and was recently inspired to start again. I had 2 chickens delivered from Omlet on 31 July so I know they have been fully vaccinated. Mabel has been laying well but Doris has not laid at all yet. She has until today been very lively and energetic so although beginning to wonder when she might lay an egg, and why she hasn't already, I haven't been too concerned. However this morning she is looking very down in the mouth. She is very lethargic, eyes often shut, easy to pick up and handle (no fight in her at all - unlike her usual self), is off her food, didn't look as though she was drinking that much either - and feels very cold.

 

I have brought her inside into the warm - and put her in a large cardboard box with shredded paper bedding but am at a loss as to what might be the matter - and what to do about it. Her vent looks clean.

 

I have had a few soft eggs but think this is Mabel as I watched her lay one on one occasion. I gave them baked egg shell to boost their calcium.

 

Any ideas as to what might be wrong with Doris and what I might do about it?

 

All suggestions most gratefully received chuckmum

[Tara.F]

Sounds to me like you're doing everything right

If she is just coming into lay, she may well lay a softie first and these tend to make hens feel awfully sorry for themselves. I tend to think of it like a teenager with period pain

 

just do what you're doing (which would have been my advice anyway) and see how she is tomorrow

[Henhathnofury]

Is she is lethargic and cold - this does nto really sound like a hen just off-colour. Especially if she is not drinking. Watch her very carefully but this truly may need a visit to the vet. Is her comb floppy and pale? Is her poo OK? All these things can point towards ill-health - so she needs to be checked over soon.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum Chuckmum . Sorry to hear you've got a poorly girl . Don't know what to advise really but I agree that her feeling cold doesn't sound too great .

 

Do you know of a chicken friendly vet near you? I don't know where you live but there is an Omlet list of vets that might help you:

 

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=4447

[chuckmum]

Oh dear - Doris I fear is no more.

 

What can possibly account for such a rapid deterioration? - she was ok last night - apparently pecking around as normal and being her usual self.

 

I hardly got round to thinking what might be wrong

[Groovychook]

I'm so sorry.

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear about poor Doris. A sad start to your renewed henkeeping.

 

Maybe she had picked up an overwhelming infection.

 

A post mortem might shed some light on it, but would be costly.

 

If Mabel seems to be OK over the next few days, and not showing signs of succumbing to the same illness, I would get her a couple of companions, as she will not be happy on her own.

 

Welcome to the forum. Sorry your first couple of posts are sad ones.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm very sorry to hear that . Poor you .

[Seagazer]

Sorry to hear about Doris

[Henhathnofury]

So sorry - it must be devestating.

 

It could have been something genetic or something like gapeworm - impossible to know without a vet's check...

[abwsco]

So sorry to read about Doris