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

[raffik]

Belina is over a year old and has always been extremely friendly, running to me when I come out into the garden. She's always scratching, looking for worms and tender plant shoots etc. Always a happy and sociable hen, but this has all changed.

 

She is now very withdrawn, not venturing out of the run, not running to me even when I come out into the garden with a bowl of sweetcorn or grapes. She just sits, hunched, withdrawn, uncommunicative and looking miserable. She has stopped laying alltogether.

 

I have also noticed that she has lost a few feathers around her neck, and spotted my other hen pecking her. I have not seen this again however.

 

Something is very obviousley wrong with her and I'd hate for her to be in any discomfort.

I cannot get an appointment with the vet until monday. I have brought her into my utility room where it's nice and warm, and put her in a big box with fresh straw, food and drink.

She is just lying there, not even trying to get out of the box.

 

I initially thought she might be egg bound because of the similar symptons, and she has got very plump. So I massaged her vent with vaseline and inserted it slightly in, as recommended by eglutine, but no eggs have come out.

 

I don't know if anyone can help me, but it helps to know you are all out there!

Is there anything more I can do? What could it be?

[Guest]

have you wormed them recently?

 

they can stop laying and look poorly if they have worms.

 

I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along soon

[chelsea]

so sorry to hear she is poorly.

 

You've done as much as you can by keeping her comfortable and warm. An appointment at the vets will be a good idea as soon as you can.

 

Try to keep her hydrated if you can, maybe make a sloppy porridge with her pellets with some poultry spice

 

If she was laying I would have said it might be a soft shelled egg.... but to be honest im not sure what it is. The other hen may be pecking her as she senses she is unwell/picking up on the poorly signs.

 

I really hope she gets well soon.

[Egluntyne]

You are doing the right thing till you can get her to the vets.

 

If she has peritonitis she will have a swollen abdomen and will walk in a waddling sort of manner. Her comb may become blue tinged when she sits down too.

 

Fingers crossed for her.