Stewart and Julia Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 OMG This must be the 3rd attempt to introduce ourselves, Stewart and Julia We have two lovely girls Izzy and Ella who are almost a year old now and up until the cold spell have been fit and healthy. Our Ranger seems very slow this last couple of days though, V lethargic and inactive. She's a sad sight, in fact last night I wondered if she would be with us this morning, She isn't laying, eating or moving much at all for that matter. I picked her up and sat her in my lap for over an hour yesterday and she just sat there with her eyes closed. Can anyone comfort us with what might be wrong with her ? She's pretty much the same today but has her eyes open more. We've had a good feel round her and she doesn't flinch at all, she's well off it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Hi Stewart & Julia, Welcome to the forum ( I hope you don't mind that I locked one of your other attempts ) Sorry to hear your hen is poorly. Have your chickens been wormed recently? Worms can make chickens appear hunched and lethargic Moulting - any signs of feather loss? This a popular time of year for moulters, and hens will also appear quiet and eat less and tend to be less active. I would certainly try to make her eat & drink if you can, is there anyway you could perhaps bring her inside in a warm quiet box for a while? A sloppy pellet porridge with some poultry spice mixed in it may get her appetite going. If she deteriorates I would suggest popping her to the vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Hello and sorry your girls not well. Do you think she may have a softie on the way? I would check her stools and if she's emptying her crop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart and Julia Posted January 18, 2010 Author Share Posted January 18, 2010 Hello Chelsea, thanks for reply. I wondered about possibility of worms, been and got some Verm-X today so will try that. I don't see anything in her poo though. there have been some softies (eggs) but that hasn't really affected her like this before, that's why have been a bit more worried. No signs of feather loss either although neither girls have lost any feathers as such since we've had them, they have been in top shape 'til now. I do have some Layers Meal and they love it but to be honest I thought that was contributing to the soft shells (despite added grit) Appreciate your advice, I'll keep you posted. Many Thanks Hi Stewart & Julia, Welcome to the forum ( I hope you don't mind that I locked one of your other attempts ) Sorry to hear your hen is poorly. Have your chickens been wormed recently? Worms can make chickens appear hunched and lethargic Moulting - any signs of feather loss? This a popular time of year for moulters, and hens will also appear quiet and eat less and tend to be less active. I would certainly try to make her eat & drink if you can, is there anyway you could perhaps bring her inside in a warm quiet box for a while? A sloppy pellet porridge with some poultry spice mixed in it may get her appetite going. If she deteriorates I would suggest popping her to the vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart and Julia Posted January 19, 2010 Author Share Posted January 19, 2010 Well, Izzy is still here thank goodness. I've popped some Verm-x in a small mix of layers meal with warm water and she started to eat it slowly, 'til Madam Ella arrived that is ! Turn your back two seconds, anyone would think she'd not been fed. I've noticed that the fresh newspaper in the base of the eglu was very wet this morning and there is a very slimy wet white paint present (liquid shell?) Don't laugh, I'm not used to this Any thoughts ? Stewart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GillC Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 Hi, I just spotted a post about a damp poo tray which explained a few things to me viewtopic.php?f=4&t=57846. Apparently, water can get in through the gap at the back in heavy rain. Regarding your poor lethargic hen. I hope she's feeling better now. I've bought a product called called Fast acting poultry nutri drops by Net ex. It is supposed to be for lethargic hens, on ones that have undergone stress, handling, on antibiotics, or just under the weather. I got it because I just got some ex-batts and wanted to try to smooth the transition for them. You get a dropper and give 1ml per Kg of chicken weight. It is supposed to show a difference within 30 mins as it gets absorbed very fast into the bloodstream. Dropping liquid into their beaks is an entertaining experience, but they don't seem to mind very much and the yellow does come off your hands with washing I can't honestly say for sure how effective it is, but if it does what it claims, and if the lethargy wasn't caused by previous suggestions, you might want to try it to see if it can help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 I've just posted this link on another thread but it might be useful for you too. If you're worried it may be a worm problem, you can send a faeces sample off for testing (item 4 on the list and around a tenner). A softie in the pipeline usually makes them pretty sorry for themselves and they perk once it's passed. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
