What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[camilladyer]

Hi all!

 

I wanted to ask you chicken experts about my Gilly.

 

I opened their eglu this morning and knew straight away she wasn't her usual chirpy self. She didn't come out of the eglu initially (usually she bursts out), but slowly left the nest.

 

I can't really describe it, she's just off colour and not right.

 

She has been in the garden for most of the day, but is very slow and pathetically pecking at the occasional something, rather than their usual continuous search for their favourite treat.

 

She has been standing still a lot and keeps her head/neck tucked into her shoulders (instead of standing tall), and looks quite "plumped" up.

 

She hasn't laid an egg in a few days and the only other thing I noticed this morning was she did a white very watery poo. She has been going into the eglu and out a few times today, but definitely hasn't laid an egg.

 

I'm hoping someone can help as I hate seeing her like this.

 

THANK YOU!!

 

Camilla Dyer

[Egluntyne]

Has she been wormed? If not, I'd give her and her companions a course of Flubenvet.

[CluckyBucks]

Hi there,

 

Sounds like shes trying to pass a softie, just keep your eye on her and ensure that shes drinking and has access to food.

 

All the best,

 

xx xx

[camilladyer]

Hi,

 

Thanks for your replies.

 

I didn't want to sound like a complete newbie, but what's a softie?

 

Thanks, Camilla.

 

p.s. I may worm them both anyway

[CluckyBucks]

Dont worry about it

 

Its when a hen's egg hasnt developed properly (soft shelled) inside of the hen, then she pushes it out, bearing in mind that theres probably the remenents of the goo that she has to push out too. Its quite hard for them to 'pass' but usually do.

 

xx xx