chixandthecity Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Hello Blossom, our top chicken, is not herself. She seemed fine on Friday, laid an egg and free ranged, all normal. She was in the run most of yesterday as we were out all day, so don't know if she was off colour then or not, but she did go to bed early last night, before I'd even shut them all in the run, and instead of sleeping in her usual place on a perch, she slept in the nest area. She came out of the house this morning and had a big drink. She is quite lethargic though, standing around a lot and closing her eyes. She went into the nest box around lunchtime and stayed there for ages. we then tempted her out with a treat of mashed boiled egg (we give her this now and again as she is a heavy layer) which she ate before returning to a corner of the run and standing there with her eyes drooping. Normally, she tears around the garden and is into everything. Her poos are solid with watery stuff, but nothing particularly odd looking. We've just brought her indoors and popped her in a box with a hot water bottle/straw but not sure what else to do! We lost a hen about three weeks ago and don't want to lose another so soon after (the other hen was eggbound and got an infection as a result, but nothing contagious). Would appreciate any advice. Thanks Chix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 You are having such bad luck, I am sorry. I don't know what to suggest for Blossom, she could have a softie (soft egg with no shell) on the way I suppose Hopefully someone more knowledgable will be along soon x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Oh dear, sorry to hear that Blossom isn't looking well. Can you feel her crop? Does that feel normal? It should feel a bit like a bean bag, about a golf ball size. If it feels lots larger (like a tennis ball or grapefruit!) or squishy or really hard it could be that she's got a crop problem. You can also try to smell her breath - sour crop makes their breath smell. If that all feels and smells normal, gently feel under her bottom. Can you feel an egg there at all? Or can you feel any fluid there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
