piglet Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 I’ve got 3 chickens I had them last May, we've had problems with lice but they are now all clear! just lately my bluebell chicken Bella has been gaining a lot more weight than the other two, doesn’t seem particularly interested in treats and seems to be having difficultly jumping less than 1ft (the eglu is slightly raised above the grass and surrounded by wooden sleepers), she is really having to think about it before she does it where as the other two do it with ease. She also has very dirty bum feathers (which I used to put down to the lice but like I say these are now all gone and have been for a couple of months), it looks to me like when she poos she doesn’t stand correctly and it gets on all her feathers, she has recently started to pull them out I have bought the anti peck spray now but there aren’t many feathers around that area to put it on and she isn’t pulling them out from any where else! This morning she did a rather watery poo which she then turned straight round and began to eat, something she has never done before is this a sign of her craving nutrients? We feed them organic layers pellets with some poultry spice, but also worm them regularly (but not don’t since Christmas) Please help. is it time to go to the vet's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 Peritonitis causes the abdomen to swell and the hen has difficulty walking and adopts a waddling walk Could that be it? might be worth Googling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 I was thinking peritonitis too - my light sussex Gucci had exactly the same symptoms apart from the poo eating bit, I took her to the vet and got some Baytril. If you pick her up does she feel swollen and "tight" underneath? That was also a sign. Also - is she still laying eggs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 I would pop her to the vets in the morning. be it peritonitis or egg stuck, you won;t be worrying all weekend and peri will need vet treatment regadles and can be very nasty, early treatment is needed. It sounds fron yyou post that she has not been right for a while. A course of antibiotics and possible anti inflamitories might sort her out in noi time. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 I agree, I'd take her to the vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piglet Posted March 6, 2010 Author Share Posted March 6, 2010 I couldnt rest so took Bella to the vets last night, she has a tummy bug! she had a course of anti biotics but all in all the vet was very happy with her, she is a big bird weighing 3 kilos and she is just in her teenage years where she wants to be a bit stroppy and is still learning about adult life so hopefully she will grow out of these silly things, if not apparently she is just a bit thick! Im so pleased i took her its the best £30 i've spent just to put my mind at rest, knowing ive got a happy healthy bird! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 What a relief for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 I knew you would worry. Well done, worth it for piece of mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 6, 2010 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Phew, glad to hear it's nothing major - bet you're feeling much happier now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
