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

[DianeB]

I've got an unhappy hen. She's been absolutely fine since we've had her, been laying every day for the last month. She laid yesterday, although the shell was a bit paler than normal, then just moped around all day, not moving around much. She was happy to gobble down some grapes in the afternoon, and came running for some corn, but that was all.

 

This morning she didn't come out of the eglu straight away as she normally does, and has been just standing by the water glugs all day. No egg today, poos a bit runny although difficult to tell, might need to investigate more. But today, she's not coming for corn at all. Her bottom looks quite dirty (runny poo, I guess), but can't see anything else obviously wrong. Her crop doesn't seem full, don't know if she's egg bound but she laid yesterday. No signs of sniffling or sneezing. Our other hen is fine. Any suggestions? As these are our first hens, we don't really know what to do. Just sort of hoping it's an infection that will pass. Is there anything we can give her? Added problem is that we're going away on Saturday afternoon for a few days, so got to leave it up to a friend to deal with egg collecting/feeding etc. Any advice very welcome!!

[Christian]

It could just be a soft shelled egg on the way. Mine look dreadful when they have a softie coming. Best advice, is to put her in a cardboard box with some bedding and keep her warm. The warmth might encourage her to lay. Usually with a few minutes of laying a soft shelled egg, they are fine.

 

If she is no better tomorrow or hasn't laid a softie, a trip to the vet might be in order.

 

Hope she is better soon.