Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Billbhoy]

Hi, this is my first post. As normal I went to the run this morning to let out my chooks, counted them as usual and noticed one was missing. I looked in the coup and she was lying on her side unable to walk or stand. I brought her into the house and placed her in a large box ,filled it with staw. I checked her over for any apparent injuries, but only noticed a small blood spot on her neck were she has started to moult. I placed in the box a water container and a bowl of layers pellets. After about 10 mins she started eating and drinking and about an hour later she was on her feet walking about. I continued to monitor her for the rest of the day and she ate and drank as normal. I also gave her some boiled potato which disappered in seconds.Mid afternoon I found her walking about the house as if she owned it, clucking away as normal. I put her back in the box were she settled down and layed a nice brown egg.Last night it was -7 and I thought that could be a reason for her condition, also could it be that as she was in moult she was attacked by the other chooks in the coup??? any suggestions would be grateful, also if she is behaving as normal how long should I keep her isolated from the others, THANKS

[Redwing]

Hi and welcome

 

It could have been a peck and certainly some of the problem was shock (laying on side etc..) but for a hen to be in such a state of shock the cause may not have been another hen but maybe a rodent or something, maybe a bite?

[Christian]

It seems unlikely that the cold would make her act this way

 

When the new feathers grow through, the feather shafts are full of blood which some hens find hard to resist. She probably was pecked by another hen. Try an anti peck spray from pets shops or mix tea tree oil and water and give her a good spray. It is antiseptic and tastes vile, so should work.

 

I would keep an eye on her as laying on one side doesn't sound too good. Chickens will usually hide illness to avoid being picked on. Make sure she is eating and drinking well.

 

Glad to hear that she seems back to normal though Welcome to the forum btw

[sandyhas3chucks]

If she was already feeling under the weather for any reason, or was not near or next to the others for warmth, then yes she could havr ben suffring from -7

Thers's an Eglu for sale by someone who lost all theirs in the snow/cold!

I think they are all very differnt in their tolerances and likes/dislike of the cold, 1 of mine NEVER goes down the garden with the others by choice, would much rather stay in the warm (Has disabilities also)

I would guess you would have had a dead chook if you had not taken the action that you did.

Well done

[Billbhoy]

Hi again, thanks for the help and information. As I type PAULA is fine and full of beans I am going to introduce her back to the run and keep an eye on her for the rest of the day. I will let you know how she gets on,

 

Thanks

 

Bill

[Billbhoy]

She settled in fine will check her in the morning, thanks for the advice and help

 

Bill