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

[Claire.Donne]

Please can anyone give some advice as 3 of my chickens are not running up to me as usual, don't seem t be eating - even treats and are just generally not themselves. One has moulted drastically & one just a small amount. The other 3 seem OK. Lisa who is virtually naked has taken to sleeping in the nesting box at about 3 pm. I know it is wet & cold but don't want to lose her. I have taken all the advice n the site with spice & pink liquid in their water plus protein. The 3 healthy ones love the cat food & eggs but not helping the others! Any advice or reassurance gratefully received. Needless to say my gingernut still produces one egg a day!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Welcome to the forum Claire .

 

I'm really sorry to hear about your poorly girls . It sounds like you're doing all you can - have you wormed them recently (or checked their poos for worms) or the girls themselves for lice/mites? I really don't know what else to suggest - I hope someone more knowledgeable will come along soon .

[Egluntyne]

I would check them for all the things ANH suggests and listen to see if the poorly one has a rattly chest.

 

Have you felt her crop? Is it full and hard, squishy like a balloon full of porridge or soft and empty? Does her breath smell?

 

Why not brink her in and keep hr war, so that she doesn't waste valuable energy trying to maintain her body temperature. Try to get fluids into her, and maybe tempt her to eat with some sloppy pellet porridge.

 

I would take her to the vet if she remains poorly after the weekend.

 

 

It could just be the moult with the others. Their hormones dip and they tend to go off lay, and their combs can shrink and become pale. Once they are over the moult they will most likely perk up

[chelsea]

agree with the above.

 

Eliminate any beasties/lice etc and worm if they havent been wormed.

 

To be honest my lot here arent as perky as usual lately. As Eglutine says its the change in hormones/weather/darker nights that plays havoc with them sometimes.

 

If in serious doubt or have cause for concern ring your vet or pop in with her.

[Claire.Donne]

Thanks so much for the advice. I lost a chicken to sour crop last year and they are regularly wormed and liced. I read on another topic that warm porridge/mash can be good and they are all loving this and seem much brighter today - also the sun is out! Unfortunately one of our 3 dogs is a killer border terrier so I have to keep the girls in their run, but it is nice and big with trees & bushes and a shelter. I think the rain is Lisa's biggest problem as she is always worse the day after it has rained. So 2 dry days in a row, food inside and hopefully her feathers will reappear soon!!!

 

Thanks again for all the help.