4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Space Chick]

I know I shouldn't be putting this here, but I've posted on the clinic and have had no response.

 

Martha, my black rock is not well. I've only had my girls for just under 2 weeks. Martha was my first to lay, and has laid 3 eggs (every other day), the last one was on Friday and was 61g so much bigger than the other 2. She wasn't herself before laying that one.

 

She was standing not doing anything puffed up yesterday and today, not eating much, not drinking much, although she did eat some grass when free ranging yesterday.

 

I've now isolated her from the other girls in a cat carrier in my study, on a warm heat pad and towels (I have also tried the warm water trick in case she was egg bound), but she also feel bulgy and hard just down in between her neck and her chest so I am worried she's crop bound.

 

I am such a novice, I'm really worried, and want to do the best for her, but don't know what to do for the best. I don't want my Martha to suffer.

 

Should I give her something to eat, what should I do for the best.

 

Thanks (and sorry Moderators)

[Redwing]

I am not massively experienced in these matters as when they get hunched up and puff their feathers up there seems to be any manner of things that may be wrong as it seems like a natural reaction for an unwell chicken - they don't give us any help!!

 

If she is crop bound you could try getting her to swallow some drops of olive oil (a baby medicine dosing syringe is good for this) try not to squirt it down as you dont want it to go down the wrong way so seeing if she will swallow it is best, then leave for a couple of mins and then try to massage the crop gently to break up the blockage (if there is one) I don't think you can do a massive amount of harm if she turns out not to be crop bound as long as you are gentle

[LaPoule]

I'm afraid I don't have much advice for you either, but getting olive oil (or similar) and warm water down her and massaging the crop sound like good advice. Also, keeping her warm and quiet is also best, as you are doing.

 

Normally, the crop fills up during the day, and by morning should be 'deflated' again - if in the morning (having made sure she has no access to any food during the night) - the crop is still full, then it's a good bet that it's impacted.

 

After giving oil/water and massaging, I have seen advice which advocates holding the bird upside-down and pushing the food out of the mouth - but that sounds very scary, especially when you've only been keeping chickens a couple of weeks

 

I think at the moment, some R&R for Martha, and if she's not better tomorrow, perhaps call a vet.

 

Good luck!

[Egluntyne]

Is her crop empty first thing? if so she isn't crop bound. During the course of the day, it is perfecly normal for their crop to feel bulgy and firm, but it goes down over night.

 

A 61g egg isn't that large either, so it can't be the size that is bothering her. Have you listened to hear of she has a wheezy or rattly chest?

 

I would keep her on pellets and water for a few days, and let her range outdoors with the others.

 

Check her crop again first thing to see if it empties overnight.

[Space Chick]

Thanks, I've put her back with the other girls now. I will check her crop tomorrow morning. I know I'm probably over-reacting, but as her behaviour is so different from the other girls it does make me worry.

 

I just want to be the best chicken mummy I can be, the girls deserve better than a clueless amateur!

[Egluntyne]

Don't panic. You are doing the right thing by asking questions.

 

It could just be that she is new to laying and is a bit upset by it.

 

It might be worth worming her as a precaution, as the hunched appearance you describe can also be a symptom f worms.

[Space Chick]

She was vaccinated and wormed before we had her. We got all four girls from the same Omlet recommended breeder.

 

If I was to worm her I'd be worried she'd be overdosed, but if you think I should then I will. You are a star Egluntine, I really appreciate your help and advice.

Edited May 4, 2009 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

 

Any idea what she was wormed with?

[Space Chick]

I didn't think to ask

[Guest]

oh hope she is ok will be looking to see if she has a good night...havent got any advice sorry..as i am new as well but sounds like you are doing all the right things..at least everyone on here responds..you sound like u acted quick too, at least u spotted not so right

 

indie

[chick wiggle]

Good luck DebsL, we're all hoping shes gonna be ok

[Jennyhenny]

Fingers crossed she will be better tomorrow

 

Jennyhenny

[Aggienator]

Just a thought, might be worth giving the breeder a call if you have only had them 2 weeks. They will probably also be pretty experienced and may be able to advise on what to do.

[smithy36]

Hi

I have had a couple of new layers have softie eggs in there first couple of weeks of laying. Caused them to be sluggish, slow moving and hunched overMight be this too.

 

Just keep an eye on her and try not to worry!

[sgregson]

Hi, how's Martha this morning?

 

Do hope she's turned a corner.

[Space Chick]

Update on young Martha.

 

Left them out first thing this morning, and she went straight for the layers pellets and water, so she is eating and drinking. I let all the girls out to free range, and she was foraging with the rest of them (although was bullied a bit by Rose).

 

I picked her up and felt her crop, it still feels a little bulgy (she had just eaten though) but not as bad as yesterday.

 

She's gone back in the run now, and is standing around puffed up and sulky again!

 

My OH reckons, as she's eating and drinking, that this could just be her personality, also, she might be unhappy that shes fallen down the pecking order. She used to be higher than Rose, but now she's definitely below.

 

I'm going to keep a close key on her today.

[twopoke]

i also have a chicken displaying these signs..... very much in a world of her own looks like she is trynig to sleep all the time. she has been like it for about 5 days. today she was out with the other girls and almost back to normal !!

stick with her she could just be sulking about the pecking order!

[Space Chick]

Thanks twopoke. This being a chicken mummy is hard work!

 

She hasn't laid since Friday.

 

Big day for Rose today though, she laid her first egg and it was a brilliant white one

 

Have had an egg from Sarah-Jane too, so my first 2 egg day. I'm hoping that Martha will feel better and lay aswell.

 

No sign of Donna laying, but I have told her she's letting the side down.

[Cinnamon]

Locking up as this query is running over 2 threads now.