Redwing Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 (edited) I bought my three chickens as POL five weeks ago. Two have grown a lot and are laying but the third doesn't seem to have grown at all and has hardly any comb, she also sneezes a lot and has done since she arrived. I have tried Citricidal and that seemed to kick in after a couple of days but now we are back to the sneezing despite the fact that the dose is still being given. I must admit to not having taken Dolly to the vets as she is full of beans, cheeky and eating well, she isn't picked on, there is no snotty nose (sorry) and she isn't huddled or unhappy looking I have Flubenvet and will be worming them this coming week just in case. I don't want to sound flippant and I will take Dolly to the vets if necessary however I wonder if its possible that sometimes you get weak chickens like you get weedy children? I personallly don't mind if Dolly never gets any bigger or never lays an egg but any advice would be great. Feel free to tell me what a bad hen-mum I am for not taking action sooner Edited December 7, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 My Nugget was always much smaller than the other three that came as POL at the same time as her. She was feisty and laid well and certainly stood up for herself. However, she didn't have the sneezes as you describe. What are you using as bedding material? Could she be allergic to it do you think? It is not unheard of. Maybe she is just younger than the others as POL is a bit of a vague term reslly. I'd just see how she goes, as she seems otherwise well and if there is no improvement, ask the vet to have a look at her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 15, 2008 Author Share Posted November 15, 2008 Thanks Egluntine, I must admit I didnt think of the bedding. We use Aubiose in the Eglu and a mix of Aubiose and woodchips in the run. Dolly does sneeze more when inside so I will try removing the Aubiose from inside the Eglu nest box and try shavings or paper and see if that helps. The Aubiose in the run is damper but if still no improvement I wil have to try removing that too and just use woodchip. I guessed that Dolly must be younger than the other two but I did think she would at least grow a bit! I guess she will mature when she is good and ready Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 It must be something about that name , my Dolly sneezed for 2 months straight when I got her and she was the littleest. I never found a reason, and she was never wheezey. I think it was just moving upset her. She is fine now and I never had to take her to the vets, it was alarming though as she did it so loud as i'm sure she thinks she's a duck . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 7, 2008 Author Share Posted December 7, 2008 Well. I need not have worried! Dolly is now much, much bigger than the other two and top of the pecking order. she shot up (and out) literally over a week or so. She is a right bossy madam. No problems with sneezing since we changed the bedding material as Egluntine suggested Dolly is still freeloading though and has given us just two eggs so far, maybe she is keeping all that energy for being a big bully! funny how things change isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 [Dolly is still freeloading though and has given us just two eggs so far, maybe she is keeping all that energy for being a big bully! funny how things change isn't it? funny my bully head girl free loading too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
