Single hen

[iar fach goch]

OH let out the hens this morning and one was not happy, she got to the eglu door first as usual but stopped and others climbed over her to get out! She eventually came out but did not venture very far into the run, has not eaten or drank anything, just standing still, hunched up, tail down, eyes closed looking very sorry for herself. Her rear end appeared to be pulsating, as if she was trying to get rid of something? and was very mucky, but I think it might have been egg, it wasn't pooey, more sort of sticky and matted. She did not lay yesterday, and usually does so every day, having only occassional day off. Checked poo tray, found what might be egg white - a little clear jelly like substance. She then went in to sit on the nest but was eventually shooed off by another impatient layer. Does this mean that she is trying to lay a softee? Have never experienced one of these before, so not sure if this is the case. Have now brought her indoors in a box with a snuggly fleece coat. Since being indoors she has deposited a smelly yellow substance all over me (yolk?) and a lot of gloopy clear goo in the box. Have tried using syringe to get some water down her but she's not interested, and she can't be tempted with grapes. I'm really worried, I hate it when animals or children are poorly because they can't tell you what's wrong, and am experiencing both this week! Oh the joys of motherhood! Please help, feel like a useless all round mummy at the moment!

[Guest]

sounds like she is trying to lay a softie. Personally, I leave them alone to get on with it. It can take 24 hours sometimes but they do look poorly during and uninterested in treats. If she's not right in 48 hours, take her to the vet.

 

Again, personally, I wouldn't be trying to syringe water into her or bring her inside as it's not cold outside at the moment and she won't be dehydrated at the moment.

 

Pop her back with the others and keep an eye on her. If no improvement by Tuesday morning then take her to the vets.

[Egluntyne]

A soluble calcium supplement should help. I use Zolcal D. Failing that, limestone flour added to her pellets and some codliver oil for the vitamin D content might make a difference.

[iar fach goch]

Help! She seems a lot worse now, flapped wings a bit and then flopped down, head is now limp, still breathing - what can I do?

[iar fach goch]

She's gone.

[Egluntyne]

Crikey! I am sorry to hear it.

[Guest]

crumbs, that's a shock! So sorry to hear that

[Plum]

I'm so sorry, that was so quick and how sad for you.

[Chickvic]

So sorry to hear that You did what you could and she went very quickly.

[Groovychook]

So sorry

[sandyhas3chucks]

so sad

[iar fach goch]

I never thought that I would get so attached to my hens. Spent a tearful afternoon yesterday trying to console a heartbroken little boy, who spent the afternoon stroking his hen, before finally burying her in a box with a little chick toy and card, underneath some daffs because yellow was her favourite colour. Really missed her this morning when I was out in the garden, as is one of the other girls who keeps going in and out looking for her and struggled to settle tonight, coming out of the eglu.