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

[Barkisland]

Nancy, one of my ex batts rescued yesterday, is hunched up and looking very miserable. I'm pretty sure she hasn't had a drink since we brought her home. The other two are lively and quite inquisitive, but Nancy is just standing, shivering, and has her eyes closed most of the time. I've tried splashing some drops of water on her beak and standing her in front of containers of water of various sizes, but without success. I don't think the others have had much of a drink either, Flo has had a couple of drops, but not convinced Gerty's had any, although they are both lively and alert so I am less worried about them, for now. I am going to bring Nancy indoors and syringe feed her some drops of water, as I am very concerned about her dehydrating. Should I dissolve a little sugar in the water or anything else?? Should I keep her in with us until she perks up, or should I give her a little drink and return her to the coop?

 

here's Nancy, with the blue leg ring, taken about 10am - she's hardly moved since then.

Gerty is behind her, nearest the eglu.

 

 

And here's Flo squaring up to the neighbours

 

 

 

Edit to add, two of them - Gerty, and I suspect the other was Flo, have laid whopping great eggs this morning. Gerty dropped hers into my hand as I lifted her out the nestbox.

[Guest]

oh bless her, has she laid today? I wonder if she has a softie on the way?

[chelsea]

Aww bless her.

 

Im sorry I cant give much advice as i've never had ex batts.

 

I really hope she perks up soon and pray she's just adjusting to her surroundings.

 

I wonder if putting her somewhere warm for the time being may help?

[Barkisland]

I don't think she has laid Poet, but I can't be certain. One of them had laid during the night and Gerty laid one in my hand this morning! Do you think I should bring her in and try to give her a drink?

[Guest]

I'd bring her in, like Chelsea says, and put her somewhere warm and quiet. I wouldn't try forcing her to drink just yet. It's possible she has a softie on the way and having her somewhere warm should hopefully help her expel it.

[badgerbluebadger]

Bring her in the warm and pop her in a calm place so she can rest - I agree with poet perhaps she needs to pass a soft egg.

[Barkisland]

Thanks! I am so worried about doing the wrong thing...

[Egluntyne]

They ae used to the nipple type drinkers in the battery house. MAybe she just can't fathom out what to do with the glug.

 

I would bring her in and keep her warm and try syringing water into her beak. The type of syringe for giving meds to babies will be ideal. The supermarket or local 24/7 chemist will have them.

[Carol U]

It's just possible that she is only used to water in drip feeder and doesn't know how to manage water in a glug. Also, she's probably cold, having been used to living in a heated shed with thousands of others for warmth. I would certainly bring her into the warm, and keep trying her with a little water. It takes some longer than others to adjust to totally new surroundings. Also, the other two may have been in better health than she is. Good luck and do keep us posted.

[Guest]

if you are going to syringe water into her beak, be very careful and do it drip by drip so as to avoid getting water into her air sacs. They have a hole at the back of their tongue that goes to their windpipe and if water gets in it can be fatal. Just drip by drip very gently into the front of her beak.

 

I have to say, ours didn't have any problem finding their water, which was in a trough type feeder, but that's not to say all ex batt chickens are the same.

 

My gut feeling is that this is a softie and she just needs warmth, peace and quiet but best to cover all angles eh?

[Barkisland]

I have brought her inside and given her a few mls of tepid water from a syringe (am a nurse, and had one in the car, as it happens!). She is in a cat carrier on some straw, and resting quietly. I will go to the Petshop and get a hamster bottle or something. Poor little love, she looks so pale and sad

[Guest]

they do look pale and aneamic as they've had no sunlight before, ours were very pale when they arrived.

 

hope she perks up soon, she's been thru a lot in the last few days.

 

xxx

[Barkisland]

I'm back from the pet shop - I bought a small bunny bottle and a little sippy rodent feeder - hope one of those will be suitable. Nancy is asleep in the pet carrier, I can see that she is breathing, but she looks very ill. I won't disturb her yet.

[Guest]

poor poppet, at least she's got somewhere comfortable to rest and has peace and quiet, more than she would have in the battery environment.

[The good lifers]

oh poor little thing, I think everyone's given good advice here, bring her in and try and get her to drink. Our chicken did this, but unfortunately the outcome wasn't good, might need taking to the vets if she doesn't improve?They get poorly ever so quick I hope she's ok- I keep looking for news- thinking of you.

[Barkisland]

Yes, I will take her straight to the vet in the morning if no improvement. The poor girl has had a life of suffering already, the last thing I want to do is heap more upon her.

Fortunately, our local vets are avian specialists.

[abwsco]

Keeping my fingers crossed for her Fiona.

[Barkisland]

It's not looking good at all folks. I will be amazed if she even lasts until morning. I think she is unconscious, and that's a blessing. The poor little love.

[Moonie]

Poor wee thing I hope she pulls through.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

So sorry to hear Nancy is so poorly . I hope she pulls through .

[abwsco]

Oh, so sorry Fiona

[Cooks]

I hope she pulls through, bless her little heart

[Guest]

oh no, maybe the shock of the move is just too much for the frailer girls. What an awful shame better than a miserable existance in a cage though. Hope her sisters go on to have a long and happy life with you xxx

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Thinking of you both

 

Love & {{hugs}},

 

Sha & the "batties"xx

[Larkspurs]

Echoing what Poet has said really.

 

John.