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

[joandpauls]

My Light Sussex still hasn't laid since we got her, but now I am worried as she is huddling on her own and acting strange? Any ideas? Help, I love my Chickens!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Can you describe her behaviour? Does she behave normally at other times - pecking and scratching about? Is she eating & drinking as far as you can tell? How's her comb/wattle? How old is she? Are you aware of her crouching? Have you checked for lice/mites (nearly typed lites/mice ).

 

Sorry, that's a lot of questions . Might help us "diagnose" if anything's wrong!

[Egluntyne]

How old is she? Have you wormed her? When you say "acting strange" ....can you describe it?

[joandpauls]

Hi. She normally hangs out with the other 2 Chickens, pecking, foraging etc. She is choosing to be alone and yes crouching and feathers are puffed out more than usual. Most differently she is letting me pick her up and cuddle her! She would normally run away! Got her mid Sept with the others who are fine and laying. They were 18 weeks or there abouts when I got them all. Wormed a little while ago. Can't see anything in her feathers?

 

Thanks guys

[joandpauls]

Also, combs and wattles looked like they were finally sprouting, but still haven't come to much from the tight bud like form they were when I got her. Wattles coming down a bit

[Ain't Nobody Here]

If she's crouching and happy to be picked up, I'd say she sounds like she's getting ready to lay!

[Egluntyne]

I'd be inclined to worm her again. A hunched and miserable attitude can be a sign of an infestation.

[joandpauls]

I will worm them all again. She doesn't look happy, all puffed out and alone, sometimes closes her eyes? She was eating and drinking, not sure how she's doing on that front since yesterday.

[Egluntyne]

I'd pick her up and put your ear to her back If it sounds rattly, she could have something chesty going on, and may need to see a vet.

 

I'd bring her in and keep her warm and try to get her to drink at least. It is important that she doesn't become dehydrated.

[The 3 D's]

Is her behind area dropping down, like nearly touching the floor and can she walk properly? If she isnt like that then like the others said, she is probabily just about to lay.

[helenmb]

She doesn't look happy, all puffed out and alone, sometimes closes her eyes? She was eating and drinking, not sure how she's doing on that front since yesterday.

 

Chickens are quite good at hiding when they are unwell as the others will move a sick one down the pecking order pronto. I have usually found that if any of mine are behaving like yours that there is something not quite right. Could be lots of things but it also may just be a bit of a cold too. Best to keep a look out for anything respitory wise (as Egluntine has already mentioned) as this can be infectious (very treatable with Baytril from the vets - I had this a few weeks ago with my girls and they are as right as rain now).

 

They puff themselves up and hunker down to keep warm, the puffing traps air under their feathers (like shaking out a duvet), she will move around less too to save energy.

 

Try to make sure she is taking in fluids and some food even if you have to tempt her with something a bit special just so you know she's taken some. As its so cold at the moment you want to make sure that she has enough calories to keep herself warm and to help her get better. Or as already suggested bring her into somewhere warmer although too warm may be as bad as too cold particularly if she has a chest infection.

 

Let us know how things fair.

[joandpauls]

Just brought her in and she has had a good drink. She seems a little low around bottom area, walking ok. She just did a dropping and it was creamy tinged with yellow with a couple of dark green dots in it?

[Egluntyne]

I still have a feeling that she might need worming.

 

What did you use last time.

[joandpauls]

Verm-X? Is it any good? It was pricey!

[sandyhas3chucks]

this will prompt lots of replies... as the general opinion is thay Vermex isn't much cop. you need to get some flubenvet, you can get it mail order, or if someone on the forum lives near you they will probably share or offer you some as you won't get it over the bank holiday. You can get it fromn the vet too.

Where do you live?

[joandpauls]

Colchester-Essex

[joandpauls]

Colchester-Essex

[Egluntyne]

Vermex is not much cop in my personal opinion.

 

I would treat her again, with Flubenvet.

[joandpauls]

ok i am about to order it online but there are 2 different ones each called flubenvet but 1 is 240g AND THE OTHER IS 60G DOMISTIC BOTH TO BE MIXED IN FOOD AND THE 240G IS ONLY £1 MORE AT http://www.mileendsupplies.co.uk

Vermex is not much cop in my personal opinion.

 

I would treat her again, with Flubenvet.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

This thread might help you. Read the whole thing as I think by the end it becomes clear that you're better off getting the bigger tub.

 

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=33018&hilit=+flubenvet

[Egluntyne]

ANH is right, the 240g is far more cost effective.

[joandpauls]

My chook indoors in the warm, only sipping a little water and not eating. Not sure I can get worming treatment in her? Think it will be a visit to the vet. She is just sitting, tried her back outside a while ago but it was no good. She would normally love her free ranging time, but she just huddled down and puffed herself back up and sat alone

[sandyhas3chucks]

I would take her to the vet.

you 1st posted Wed eve. how long had she been off?

Having her in the warm is best, how long has she not drunk? if long the perhaps you need to syringe a little at a time into her, it's Friday now, don't know anything about youngsters, could her 1st egg be on the way?

could it be a softee? My grown ups can take 12 hours to clear a softee out, & that's from when I 1st notice!

have you offered her all sorts of treats. I like grapes coz it gets some fluid in them too same for cucumber. cut the grape in half & hold it for her at beak height so she hasn't got to bend down to pick it up?

Ready brek runny made with warm water, let her see you mix it, might tempt her.

good luck

[joandpauls]

She has been sipping water. 1st noticed her being a bit off not yesterday but day before. Can an egg being on the way really make them that off? She is late developing, the others we got at the same the time are laying lovely eggs. Will try the grapes-thanks. Wondering now, do you take to vet and pay alot of money or will she pick up? This is all new to us, they are our first chickens. She is not interested in her mash or corn,or cabbage which she likes.

[sandyhas3chucks]

yes a softee can make them ever so miserable.! & look worryingly off. I've kida got used to it now, these are my 1st too. but ex bats with their own sets of problems, so I cannot really say about your youngster.

Hopefully someone with the knowledge will come back soon for you soon,and a freind has just pointed out to me that it is Thurday NOT Friday, so not as long as I thought.

try grapes & grated cheese. she might go for something different but mine just sit all hunched & miserable. def warm is best, she is not wasting energy keeping warm, but not too hot she will need more water. good she sipping little bits.