freya_chick Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Not having much luck with the chooks this week. First Dulcie disappears and now Minnie seems to be sickening. She's been really lethargic all day - she has been eating and drinking and she was following the others round but she was napping lots and this afternoon all she's done is snooze under our picnic table. She's got a dirty tail end and seems to be doing very runny/watery poos. She's also been an erratic layer - she's only young still (under 25 weeks) and has been laying either enormous double yolked eggs or soft shelled ones - so I wondered whether she was egg bound? If she is egg bound, should I try and attend to her immediately or give her the night to try and fix it herself? I've read the Omlet resource on being egg bound - what's the best first option for effectiveness? And if it is her being eggbound, how do I prevent it in the future! I really don't want to lose my second chicken in the space of a week TIA Freya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 That's sad to hear. Agree she could have a softie on the way and I can tell if they are straining (the bottom feathers are dipped down and you can see the movement). I would clean her up and check for other reasons as well for a mucky bottom like lice or worms. The process of cleaning her with warm water will help her relax to lay if that is the reason. Guess its too late in evening for that now. Another thought is that she may have a gut infection if she was runny before getting softies. I think a lot of illness's can cause softies. But also I find mine is loose when laying softies, she produces a lot of lubricant at that time. Hope she picks up quick. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I'd worm her, but she could also be feeling a bit lonely. Once she is back on her feet so to speak, I'd get her a companion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freya_chick Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thanks for the replies. She does seem to have perked up a bit now - she was a bit livelier in the evening - ate some sweetcorn we put down - we tried her in a bath of warm water but she and the others were more interested in drinking it than bathing in it! There was a soft shell egg this morning as well so I'm hoping she's back on her feet today. I've ordered some wormer anyway so will do that asap. She's one of three so she has got a bit of company - not as much as I would like but as much as I can convince DH to get! Thanks Freya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
