Unsecure chicken perches

[jellykelly]

I accquired 5 exbatts in the middle of January. One of the chickens has always been smaller and weaker then the rest. I didn't think that she'd actually make it through the first few days.

She's still with us but hasn't improved in condition as the others have.

She has a pale face and comb and simply stands there, on one leg, hunched over having what looks like power naps. She'll snap out of it and wander around for a few mins - only to power nap again minutes later.

She is eating and drinking - but not as much as the others. Any ideas as to what the problem may be?

[sandyhas3chucks]

I had a similar thing, a trip to the vets and a course of baytril, it was amazing. sometimes they can just have an underlying infection, that they just cannot shrug off. Mine were lucky in that they were summer releases, this weather can be really tough on them, in fact some rescuers won't let girls go unless they are sure they can be kept warm and dry.

You could try feeding her up with extra foods (if she will eat different foods yet) mealworms, some warm porridge morning and eve with. there are lots of threads with various suggestions.

Ciricidal in their water.

I swear by oregano products.

make sure she is standing in a draught free dry place(just incase she has not worked out where that is. Watch and see if perhaps she is bottom of the pecking order and maybe the others are not letting her eat enough. (put extra food and drink bowls in.

Finally some take heaps longer to feather up, so don't worry on that score alone.

but sitting hunched and sleeping.......... I would pop her to the vet.

Good luck

[legend21]

sandys advice sounds good to me

 

jackie

[Egluntyne]

I'd take her to the vet as it has been going on for approx a month.

[jellykelly]

Thanks for your replies.

I brought her into the house this morning to monitor the eating/drinking situation. She ate like she'd never eaten before.

So, my plan is.... to add even more feeding stations to the run ( i thought they'd had plenty) and to bring her in once maybe twice a day to offer more food (cat food with more protein) and water away from the others. I obviously don't want to remove her from the others for too long - nor make a rod for my own back by keep bringing her in - so will keep this up for only a week and see what happens!

[sandyhas3chucks]

If she is still standing on one leg tommorrow and sleeping, then you should take her to the vet asap.

It really is NOT a sign of a well hen, if it was just food and water ten tomorrow she wil look better already.

the BIG bproblem with chooks is that by the time they look ill, (standing , hunched up, sleeping.) they are REALLY ill and the correct treatment is of utmost importance. and fast!

Don't want to freak you out,but these girls have already been to hell and back, they have been abused and their little systems worked to death, for cheap eggs.

please get her seen.