Single hen

[C&T]

Hi,

 

Hoping you people can help me...

 

Let the chickens out the run this morning, and Ginger is not herself at all.

 

Walked as far as the patio, and is just standing there. Tail down, eyes semi closed. Not at all happy. Have looked over her (very easy, as no resistance) and I can't see anything obviously wrong.

 

No sign of lice or any other external nasty. They are mid way through a worming. Crop is full, but she eats for britain (very greedy) so not unexpected, but don't know if it had emptied over night. It feels OK I think, but I know I am a complete novice, so am now doubting if is OK, as am panicking! Bum is a bit messy - but not enough that I would have worried if she had been acting herself, if that makes sense. There were 2 enormous poohs in the run, but don't know who left them...

 

She hasn't laid this morning. Tends to lay 13 days out of 14 type routine, so is fairly unusual, and wondering if this is a softee??

 

Yesterday she was fine, although only saw for a few minutes last night. She was bright, had some treats, and was pecking around.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks in advance

[Egluntyne]

Could she be working up to laying a sift shelled egg do you thimk? The symptoms you describe would fit.

 

The full crop if she his ill and hunched is a bit concerning though. IF it isn't empty in the morning it would suggest that the problem lies there.

 

Why not bring her in and keep her warm, and try to encourage her to drink.

[C&T]

Thanks Egluntine.

 

She is drinking a bit, and is eating spinach and worms, but not tempted by anything else.

 

Have massaged her crop a couple of times so far, and she seems to enjoy it - sat there quiet while I was massaging, but then moved away when I stopped (although not very far). Not sure if this is a symptom, or whether she just likes her crop being massaged...

 

She is in the full sun at the moment (warmer outside on the warm bricks then inside at the moment), but will do as you suggest and bring her in as soon as the temprature drops again. Must go and find the box in the loft I kept for the purpose, hoping I would never need.

 

Poor thing! Not a happy girl, and that is just me! I would normally be at work, am very glad to be working from home today - might not have been spotted till tomorrow otherwise.

 

Hope she lays "something" and returns to normal soon - both me and the other chicken are missing her at the moment.

[C&T]

She is now inside, in a box line with Hemcore, with water, and a few of her favourate foods.

 

She is now not eating, and only having the odd sip of water.

 

She has passed a couple of very abnormal poohs - watery, white - not good.

 

Crop hasn't gone down at all, so beginning to think it is that, rather than a softee? There is no smell though.... Massaging it, in case there is anything there to break down, and it is squishy?

 

Any suggestions? Or is it Vet time?

 

She is still vaguely bright, in that she is looking around her and showing some interest - but not walking or anything, and certainly not trying to get out of the box or anything.

 

Her poor friend in the garden is not enjoying the seperation. Knew having 2 at times like this was not good, but not room for 3...

[Egluntyne]

I'd be inclined to make an appointment to see the vet as she seems to be weakening.

 

Fingers crossed.

[C&T]

She has just "laid" a big softee - a large rubber egg!

 

I think it was the threat of the bath of water - she has never liked the hosepipe!!! I have never been so pleased to see something so horrible!!

 

She is still as she was, very still and quiet, but getting rid of that MUST help. Fingers crossed she gets back to her old ways again... I can't imagine gardening without her "help"...

 

I have put her back in the box for the moment, and hope she comes back quickly... Would much prefer her to spend the night in the eglu for her sake as well as her friends.

 

Any advice on whether to keep her in overnight? We don't have a colder room, as house is small a fully occupied, so would be potentially very warm for her (although would try to find a cool spot). But don't want to chuck her out if she is not right???

[Egluntyne]

That is interesting. Just as we thought!

 

Sometimes they have a couple in the pipeline.

 

I would keep her in tonight if she was mine and reassess the situation in the morning.

[C&T]

Thanks Egluntine.

 

Appreciate all your advice today!

 

First time something has gone wrong since we got them, and no matter how many books, it is so good to have this forum to turn to!

[C&T]

Thanks Egluntine.

 

Appreciate all your advice today!

 

First time something has gone wrong since we got them, and no matter how many books, it is so good to have this forum to turn to!

[C&T]

Just to update, in case anyone else has same symptoms.

 

Gingers perked up enormously after another half hour or so being quiet in her box. Started eating and drinking with a small amount of encouragement, and looking more interested in the things around her.

 

And this morning she is completely back to her old self, pecking around the garden, running over to see what we are up to, and poohing normally too!

 

No egg - but I think I can forgive her that one - especially as she ate next to nothing yesterday!

[Egluntyne]

That is good news.

[LJ's Chooks]

We have got exactly the same symptoms with Pickle. She is just sooooooo not herself

I hope it is a softee coming, but she has been like this all day, but was fine yesterday. We did spray them yesterday with Ukadex spray for the first time, so im not sure if it is a sulk, it seems more though.

 

She is pecking around their garden and has been drinking, not sure what else to do.

We have set up our spare incase we need to separate them, but would prefer to keep her with the other girls as they seem to be taking it in turns to just be with her.

 

[C&T]

Hope Pickle does have the same thing - it was so nice in the Garden today with Ginger fully back to her old ways - even though every job takes 3 times longer.

 

We did find having her inside in the warm helped (following Egluntines advice). It did mean leaving one chicken on her own for the night outside as well (they seemed very happy to see each other in the morning) but I think worth it.

 

Keeping fingers crossed for Pickle.

[LJ's Chooks]

Thanks C&T, Pickle does seem better today, we also had another chook seeming the same yesterday too, but no softees....

 

they both seem much better today.... I think they are sulking over being sprayed with UKadex!