Unsecure chicken perches

[koo2cat]

Hi, I posted on here a few weeks ago about one of our Gingernuts, Betty, who for basically the past few months has laid soft shelled eggs. The advice then was to increase her calcium intake and put oyster shell down (as opposed to grit she currently has) and to see if that helped. I have also wormed her recently. None of these things have made any difference although I am getting more eggs from my other hens

 

She is really not right at all today. I kept her inside last night in a cat box with access to food and water. She drank loads but didn't touch the food.

 

This morning I put her back outside and she reluctantly came out of the cat box and went straight up into the nest box where she has been ever since so she hasn't eaten or drunk anything. Her vent looks okay, all intact and no blood so I am guessing it is another softie she is trying to pass.

 

What do I do now. She hasn't been right really for months although on occasions she bounces back. I am not brave enough to help her lay these eggs myself (ie put my fingers in her vent! ). Would it be kinder to have her put to sleep? I don't like to see her miserable. She isn't that old by the way just 2 and a bit.

[Leicester_H]

Can you afford / do you have a vet you could take her to ?

 

I had to take Smokie to the Vet yesterday - she was quite good.

Vet I saw last year was 'better' despite bad outcome (Chikki was PTS).

 

Sometimes it difficult to diagnose these sorts of problems, remotely.

 

God Luck, H

[Sarahsausage]

I'm sorry to hear of your dilemma, have you taken Betty to the vets? Is she very 'old'? My exbatt Betty has also been laying soft-shelled eggs for the last 2-3 weeks and has also laid a completely shell-less egg once. I'm quite worried about her as well, I've had her for 18months now so I guess she's getting on for an exbatt. Her crop still had some food in it this morning, not too much but it's usually empty so that has worried me as well (just been out to get some maggots). She didn't look very happy either when I left this morning and she's usually quite a frantic chicken. I think I would take your hen to the vets as she doesn't sound happy at all.

[sandyhas3chucks]

I would take her to the vet, it could be a few things.

SS if yours is laying sofftees then another one could be on the way. Her crop might not be fully empty, and if it IS due to this ,it will move when she passes it.

I have 2 that keep laying softees just now.

keep an eye on her, if something gets retained she will need antibiotics and maybe assistance to expell it.

My girls can take up to 24 hours to expell a soft gum shell, and I watch carefully, if after this time no shell and sick looking girls, it is off to the vets for me.

[Guest]

if she hasn't been right for months then you really ought to take her to the vet

[koo2cat]

Think she does need to go to the vets as she is still not right this morning! We have a pretty full on day today. One daughter has a ballet exam this morning and the other two are at a party this afternoon!!! Not the best day to have a poorly hen!

[Sarahsausage]

That's always the way! You've either got committments or the vets are shut!

[Sheilaz]

Sorry, too late today, but sometimes a warm bath (I use a bucket)indoors at this time of year, will sooth or relax a hen & ger vent. This worked for my softie layer yesterday & she has her tail up today.

 

I also go for keeping them indoors for a few hours (kitchen, garage, utility) in a large newspaper & straw lined cardboard box, & offering food & water. This means I can monitor them & get a better feel for their condition.

Whether they are better or worse after a day indoors helps me decide on the next action.

 

Best wishes, do keep us posted.

[LJ's Chooks]

Our Ginger seems a bit out of sorts today too, she sleeps in the nest box and wouldn't move this morning when I let them out. Even if they are in there about to lay when I disturb them, they normally let me know about it!!! She just seems a bit flat, could well be a sortie. It seems to be the time of year as their laying ramps up again.

 

I hope betty is feeling a bit brighter... Try and give her some favourite treats like grapes to keep her going, please let us know how she is getting on today.

[sandyhas3chucks]

My girl passed her blocked one today, very thin but there was a crumpled shell, and decomposing egg inside.

It was off to the vets in the morning for her if nothing today as she has been out of sorts and trying all day Sat (I was out all day Friday and didn't see her) I knew there was one comingand fairly confident in "reading" when is time, though if not Sunday today I would have booked for today.

It smelt so bad I was heaving , lucky I got it as someone was about to eat it!

I think it was blocking and there is still something following, but she would be one sick chook with that still going bad inside

Poor love.

(just sharing experience!)

[koo2cat]

Thank you for all your kind messages regarding Betty. I have to say she seems a bit brighter today though still not 100 %. I didn't take her to the vet yesterday in the end as a) we just had too much on I'm afraid and b) she actually perked up a bit ie was pottering about and eating and drinking as opposed to standing on the spot nodding off.

 

Maybe she has passed the soft egg (the others are quick to eat them up so sometimes I can't tell ) but I know it is only a short time until the next softie comes along. I like the idea of keeping her indoors in a box and the next time she seems unwell I will do that.

 

Poor Betty - she is such a sweet natured thing and apart from this episode has never caused us or the other hens any bother!