Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[LilyG]

Hiya,

 

I'm at uni at the moment but my dad just called to say that one of our chickens is ill and could I ask on the forum to see if you guys had any suggestions as to what it could be. So I'm only going from what he's told me but I hope I have enough info.

 

Okay, so Raisin Wheats, we got her this year and she hasn't started laying yet which has been a little suprising but we're first time owners so we thought we'd just give her more time. She's a Blue Splash Cochin and has always seemed healthy in the past.

 

For the past few days she has been really slow. When the other chickens were let out into the garden she didn't follow as she usually does and she doesn't go to eat when corn or other treats are put in. Yesterday she sat in the same spot for an hour with her head a little drooped but her eyes are bright and open wide. She doesn't appear to be egg bound just very, very lethargic and she won't even flinch when you pick her up.

 

It's been very, very cold the past few nights, we weren't sure if maybe it was something to do with that. But the other two seem fine.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

[Egluntyne]

Could be that she is working up to laying a soft egg. The are often miserable and hunched when that is the case.

 

Has your Dad checked her over for lice and mites and have the hens been wormed recently?

 

TBH she sounds rather poorly and I'd be inclined to suggest that your Dad takes her to the vet.

[LilyG]

I'll ask him about lice/mites when he calls me back later. Thanks.

If it was a soft egg, how long do you reckon it would take to pass?

[Egluntyne]

They can take a while...several hors or more.

[LilyG]

Unfortunatly Raisin Wheats was put to sleep this morning. The vet said that there was something wrong with her and she wasn't digesting her food properly. She wasn't in any stress before he gave her the injection, so that's something.

[AnnieP]

Oh. So sorry to hear that! Thinking of you.

[mostin]

So sorry to hear that, big hugs, xxxxxxxxxx

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear it.