lollyfry Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 (edited) We've had our 1st ex-bats for just 2 weeks and they been fantastic but over the last few days on of the girls has been a bit 'quiet'. She is just standing around with her feather all puffed up (sorry, thats not a technical term but thats the only way I can think to describe it! I took a photo so you can see what I mean! She is eating - not not as much as the others, occasionally pecking about but not for long periods and doesn't run to the front of the WIR for treat time like the other 3. They were all wormed last week so not sure what to do??!! Thanks in advance for any help/advice as I'm really worried about her Edited September 30, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Did you use Flubenvet to worm them? If you used Verm-X I'd re do them with Flubenvet. Have you checked her over for signs of lice and mites? They often have mites when they come out of the battery shed. Does her chest sound wheezy or rattly when you place an ear along her back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chunky_Monkey Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Hi, Has she laid anything recently? One of my ex-batts looked like that and we think she was egg bound and/or had peritonitis. This article viewtopic.php?f=41&t=31430&view=unread#unread is very useful and we followed all the tips. Unfortunately this didn't help pass the egg, so we took her to the vets who gave her some antibiotics. Sadly, she died later on, but if your hen is egg bound, it can be fixed. Maybe have a feel under her vent to see if there is any egg. We sprayed some olive oil around her vent and gave her yogurt to help. Hope this helps a little, but I'm sure some of the more experienced members of the forum will come along as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lollyfry Posted September 27, 2009 Author Share Posted September 27, 2009 We've just been out and had a listen to her back and there is no rattles or wheezing. Also have checked them all for lice the other day and couldn't see anything. They were wormed with with flubenvet. Also, None of the girls have laid anything for 2 or 3 days. The weirdest thing is the constant fluffing up of her feathers, almost like she is trying to make herself look bigger or something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 That's definitely a Not Happy stance. It could be that she's going through a bit of a laying crisis, maybe some softies in the pipeline, or egg bound. Keep an eye on her .... and what comes out the other end! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 Definately not a happy girl - that hunched, puffed up look is a chickens way of letting yuo know that they're miserable (good description by the way ) Just a thought, but one of our girls (Maggie) went like this the other week, so we brought her in - she was thin and her crop was empty so we fed her some warm porridge (made with water) with a few raisins in and she woofed it down... if your girl isn't easting as much then it may be worth a try bringing her in for some TLC - also has the advantage that you can give her a really good check over... Best of luck x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lollyfry Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 Ok all you lovely people who have help so far - here is the update! Marjorie (the poorly chook in the photo) spent the night before last in the garage with a hot water bottle and when she went back in with the others yesterday she looked a lot perkier. When we have come home today and look out into the run she is looking a bit 'hunched' up again.......BUT when we looked in the coop there was what can only be described as a softie!!.......but we can't be sure which one of the girls laid it If it was Marjorie that laid the softie would it take a bit of time for her to get over it?? Could that explain why is still looking a bit out of sorts?? Sorry so many questions!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 If this helps,,, I have had girls take over a day to pass the softee. If she is not herself in the morning my advice would be to take her to a vet that is happy to feel inside & see if the shell part of the softee is stuck. They can often get it out fairly easilily. The trouble is if it is left in it will quickly go bad inside & she will be very very poorly.(fataly so) They often pass the remains overnight, you may find a lump that looks like chewing gum or a tiny thin long opaque baloon like thing. Or the others might have eaten it. Either way you should see a perky chook in the morning or take a trip to a good vet. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 am keeping fingers, toes and eyes all crossed for her - hope she perks up x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
