Misscherryskull Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 OMG my chicken Cherry was fine until dinner time then i looked out window & thought she was trying to lay an egg in an odd place, on the path (she hasn't laid today) so i went out & picked her up & put her in the coop, then i noticed she isn't walking properly I checked her over, no sign of anything so tried to make her comfortable, then ran crying to my next door neighbour (he has chickens too) when i wnt back & checked both her legs were spread out behind her & shes lying lop sided, heavy breathing, tail down & not good at all been in & out like a yoyo and shes still like that,but shes huddled in beside Skull (my other chicken) who seems to be holding her up!!! There is absolutely nothing i can see wrong with her, shes still all the right colours n stuff so please help coz i don't want to lose a chicken after only having her for a few months. Thank you Sam x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 That doesn't sound good . It may be a problem with an egg - perhaps one is stuck? I don't know if there's much you can do tonight except perhaps bring her into the house in a cardboard box to keep her warm? Can you get her to a vet in the morning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misscherryskull Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 Hiya, thanks for such a quick reply, i don't knw any vets but i can phone around tomorrow but highly doubtful if they'd know anything about chickens. What would happen if she was egg bound?? could that kill her or would it rite its self?? I'm gonna do a search n see what i come up with, with her symptoms Sam x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 You might want to read this about Egg Binding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Poor you, what a worry. Can only suggest keeping her warm and quiet for the night. It could be an egg issue as already mentioned which can make them feel lousy. Good luck, keep up updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misscherryskull Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 Hi again, Checked on Cherry late last night, syringed water into her & gave her ready brek mixed with natural youghurt, wasn't intrested so i gave her it off my finger. Went to bed & hoped for the best, woke at 2am but resisted the temptation to go out & check on her (woz scared too aswell). Braced myself this morning to find a dead chicken only to be greeted by the 2 but Cherry still isn't 100%, she was standing when i went out but seems to be limping around, so i took their pellets out for them but she just looked as if to say "you expect me to eat that ) Made up some more ready brek & she scoffed the lot but is still unhappy, tail down but still no other obvious signs of illness, shes sitting at the coop door just now watching Skull run around like a loony I've got another Isa coming today so if anything happens to either one, the other won't be lonely, wish i'd done that in the first place but only thought about it after finding this site & seeing that suggestion. Anyway any more advice appreciated & thanks everyone that has replied or does so. Cheers Sam x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I'm glad to hear she's still with us . I think if she doesn't improve, though, a trip to the vet's is necessary. If she has an egg stuck, it really needs to come out. You could try very gently with surgical gloves and vaseline to see if you can feel an egg. If you have a single hen arriving, make sure you read up about introductions. I see you've had your girls about 5 weeks which might make them unhappy about the newcomer. It's not generally a good idea to introduce a single hen either as it will be very lonely until accepted by the others. Can you fit 2 more in? You should have a read of this for some advice and tips . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misscherryskull Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 Thanks ANH, i'd be lost without you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I agree with ANH. I think if she doesn't perk up, you should seek a vet's opinion. I also agree with ANH about being careful managing the intros, especially as you have a hen who is below par. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misscherryskull Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 Don't think my prob is an egg one, Cherry just laid a lovely normal egg I can only assume its a leg or wing prob coz she just ventured out of the coop not that long ago, managed to get quite a bit up the garden then stopped for a rest then i saw her trying to get up onto the grassed area & had a little trouble, i've put her back in the coop & thats when i found the egg, Skull had already laid hers, so it was defo Cherrys'. Sam x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Well, that's encouraging news . Perhaps she pulled a muscle or sprained something? I would just watch her for a day or so. Have you made a decision about extra hens yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misscherryskull Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 I really don't know what to do now, i was just worried about Skull being on her own &don't really want an extra two, one extra would be ok, i read the thread on introducing one hen & was very useful. As far as i know my neighbour is already away to get the hens & so think he will return with the one i asked him to get so i think it'll be just one i'll be introducing. Hopefully an new addition will be fine coz both my hens are very very docile, they let me pick them up & are always with me when i go out in the garden so i'm hoping they take to a neewbie easily......................either that i'm hoping for miracles. Thanks sooooo much for all your help & interest Sam x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Gald to hear Cherry's better this morning - its really awful when they're poorly.. it almost sounds as if she's slipped and damaged a muscle, but if she's laid ok and if improving just keep a close eye on her and agree with the others - vet if she doesn't improve The newbie will probably be fine, but do keep her separate from Cherry and Skull, at least for acoupld of weeks - we separate the run and put a cat carrier in for introductions, that way they can smell, hear and see each other and get used to each other withouth having to share their feed/drinkers and coup... best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Just be aware that you may need separate accommodation for the newbie. My 3 girls are very docile too but Maisie is still having a go at my new girls 4 weeks down the line . Keep a close eye on them. A water pistol is a good deterrant . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 lol, I can second that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 Some info on managing introductions **here** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misscherryskull Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 Cherry still alive & kicking She seems so much better than previous but still not 100% so only time will tell now, still baffled by what it was that was up, i was sure she was a goner but what do i know eh?? Got new chicken at POL, shes called Ruby, Skull was a bit mental for the first day, following me around & squwacking at me at some points i had to remind her she was a hen & not a cockrel she was really loud & reading the riot act, Cherry not bothered but i expected that from her. Think the introductions are gonna be long winded but we'll get there Thanks everyone for all your help, very much appreciated Cheers Sam x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
