alih Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 Custard is not her usual feisty self. She was sitting in the frozen earth all nested up when I came down this morning and did not come running to greet me and the food I had. I have checked her over and there is no sign of anything but she is wobbly when she tries to walk. Currently she is in a box with straw and food out near her mates but showing no interest in moving. I have never had a broody hen before. One of my others was like this when she was awaiting a softie....any ideas as to what, if anything I should do? If she is broody how do I stop her freezing to death in the cold if she is not moving about and eating? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 The fact that she's not feisty suggests she may not be broody. Try putting an egg or two under her for a little while, then see how she reacts if you put your hand under her to take them away. Broodies are usually reluctant at best to let you disturb them and down right vicious at worst! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted December 18, 2009 Author Share Posted December 18, 2009 She doesn't seem broody at all but was just wondering what it could be if she was walking like that... thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 There is a similar thread running **here**. I would give the same advice here as there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted December 18, 2009 Author Share Posted December 18, 2009 Thank you. Custard is certainly not still or hunched like that poor chook was - I have just put her into the nesting box in the cube with the others for the night. She has eaten and pooed and seems in herself very perky, she just can't walk and keeps sitting down. WIll see how she is tomorrow. many thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 If she was broody I'd think she'd be in the nestbox . I do hope there isn't something going around - 3rd chook with these symptoms now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 Have you checked her legs and feet for any injury, heat or signs of problems. Mineral deficiency can make them unsteady. Perhaps she is feeling weak because of parasites or some other illness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted December 18, 2009 Author Share Posted December 18, 2009 Plum, I checked her all over this morning as at first I thought she must have hurt her leg somehow. But she isn't hot, no signs of anything on feet or legs and they were wormed a couple of weeks ago....bizarre... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted December 19, 2009 Author Share Posted December 19, 2009 well just been to check on her and she is snugged up in the nesting box (not her usual place at all) but seems vocal and alert.....more than me at 2am.... more tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 How is she today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted December 19, 2009 Author Share Posted December 19, 2009 Still a little unsteady but pooing and eating with the rest of them. Had another check over a few mins ago and the top outside part of her vent is very red, as if it had been scratched or pecked at. Keeping an eye butnot sure what else to do... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Only just seen your post. I had something identical with one of mine - legs seemed to be collapsing and no interest in anything. I took her to the vet's, but he was useless. In the end I kept her in a box in the utility room for a couple of days and hand fed her. I put some cider apple vinegar in her water, which seemed to revive her appetite a little bit (suggestion from Sean at Wernlas) and kept feeding her protein and general treats. She perked up quite a bit and is now back with the others. She is still very thin but eating well again and seems quite happy. Sean (Wernlas) said that at the end of a long laying season, sometimes they're just exhausted and need tlc and feeding up. Seems to be working. None of mine are laying at the moment, so I'm giving them all extra treats and more fattening food than I would normally. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted December 20, 2009 Author Share Posted December 20, 2009 Thanks so much, Carol. I am really puzzled by this and that would give some sort of explanation - Custard is 2+ and a great layer but has not laid these past few days. It is also very cold. She is marginally less wobbly today, but still walking like Douglas Bader!! I have been feeding them all pellet porridge to warm them up and she has wolfed it downb each time so I will add some calcium and tuna today and hope that helps too. If she's not better by tomorrow I will take her to the vet. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted December 24, 2009 Author Share Posted December 24, 2009 just to let you know Custard is back to her perky self...I have been feeding them cat food/ pellet porridge/ poultry spice and she has gobbled it up. I wonder whether she was bitten by the cold and took a while to thaw out or was just exhausted and needed a bit of tlc. Not laying but ok. Thanks everyone and merry Xmas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Good news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
