Single hen

[Caroline123]

We've had our chickens Audrey and Brenda for a week now and have noticed that Audrey's behaviour has changed over the last two days. At first, she was lively, perky, scratching around the garden with Brenda and has been laying everyday since she arrived. Yesterday she laid a white-ish egg and today hasn't laid at all.

 

For two days now she's been quite lethargic, standing still for lengthy periods with her head tucked into her chest (which looks quite protruded). Occasionally she closes her eyes as though having a nap!

 

Also, her pooh has become quite runny, although don't know whether to just put this down to slugs and other garden matter!

 

Any advice on what you think might be wrong would be much appreciated!

 

Thanks

[Hen Watch]

I would keep an eye on her as you have been doing so far. Make sure she is eating and drinking.

 

When they first start laying it can take a while for them to get into the swing of it. And they may produce the odd softie egg in amongst normal ones. This can make them look hunched and unwell but will pass once the softie is produced. But it is worth keeping an eye on her just in case this is not the cause.

[The Dogmother]

Have you picked her up and examined her for any other symptoms?

[alih]

I woudl worm her as a precaution a they can feel pretty ropey if they have worms. Hope she settles soon

[Caroline123]

Thanks for your comments. Audrey seems to be a lot perkier now. She's eating, drinking and seems happy scratching around in the garden. Still no eggs though but she is young.

 

Regarding worms, is it necessary to start worming them so soon after their arrival from Omlet (we've only had them for 2 weeks)?

If so, is there a preferred method / wormer which people use?

Thanks

[Hen Watch]

Some on the forum use Verm-X. But I prefer Flubenvet wormer which you can buy online and I worm them every 3/4 months regardless.

 

Not sure how Omlet worm chooks. I confess I'd had mine for 10 months and never even thought of worming them until a drop in egg production and then I found they did have them after all when the medicine kicked in and I saw dead worms in their poo.

 

With your girl, she's probably just still new to all this. Don't expect an egg every day at first.

[Caroline123]

Hi, just a quick update. Both chickens now laying daily and "normal" behaviour resumed. Bought some flubenvet but they started laying before starting the dose so looks like everythings ok. Hooray!

Thanks for the help.

Chris n Caroline

[Hen Watch]

Glad to hear that all is well now.

 

The Flubenvet you bought is still good to have. As I said in my earlier post I didn't get some until I had the chooks a while and looking back that was a mistake.