Single hen

[quickcluck]

she has been in the nesting box ALOT today, but am not sure she's laid. She is just sitting on a perch in the run hunched, neck in and tail down, well away from the others, didn't even come down for her afternoon mash and sardines.

 

Looking at her bald tummy it appears to have a bulge in it, about the size of an egg... also has runny poo...... we have also had many softies, I wonder if they are from her...

 

Am worried as OH is away for 4 days now

 

What should I do? Am very worried....

[theherd123]

It sounds like she is in need of some TLC poor thing. If she is still sitting on the same spot in a while it might be wise to bring her in and offer her some sloppy porridge & corn esp is her crop is empty and keep her warm.

 

I would think your guess that she has been the one laying the softies could be right and she might be in the process of trying to pass another one. Have you seen her eat or drink today?

 

Unfortunately it might be too late in the day to get her to a vet now but if you are registered i would try and get an appointment asap.

[Plum]

Poor Hazel sounds off it. Could the bulge be the crop I would check if its still there in the morning.

Not an expert but as you say if she's in and out the nest box it could be another softie making her poorly. You could have a look at her abdomen and look at her vent to see if there are any signs of trouble. If she's having trouble with laying I believe a bit of lubricant around her vent may help.

If she hasn't picked up I think I would take her in tonight and make sure she has a drink and check her breathing, weight loss, signs of parasites etc.,

I hope she picks up soon. When mine lay a softee they pick up really quickly afterwards.

[quickcluck]

Managed to get to the vet She stuck her finger up her bottom hazel was sooooo good, temp was fine and no stuck egg.

 

So have got baytril to give her... Have given her a dose and put her back in with the others, do you think thats ok?

[theherd123]

Good news and glad you have got her checked out.

 

Popping her back in with the others was the best thing to do as being with your mates when you are ill is a good tonic.

 

Do hope she is good in the morning

[quickcluck]

Well she came out of the cube looking perky this morning..... but is not socialising with the others and up on the perch again. Didn't even stop for a snack

 

I will go and try to do the antiobiotics in a while, just wanted to get the breakfast rush over first

 

I really hope she's ok and is back to her old self soon....

[Plum]

Glad to hear she's a bit brighter. Hope she picks up today with the antibiotics.

[quickcluck]

She is much brighter and when I was in there at 6.30 this morning, very hard to catch, so she must be feeling better....... lets hope my method improves or she decides to let me catch her or i'll be in there for hours later!

[The Dogmother]

That sounds like good news. If you're getting lots of soft eggs, then try adding limestone flour to their feed, the one I buy is by NAF and comes from feed stores.

[quickcluck]

yup thats the one I have, I use one of their scoops leveled to enough food for 2 grubs, is that about right?