michellegeoff Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Delilah is feeling very sorry for herself, if anyone can help, we would much appreciate it. She is unable to lay (spends time in eglu but no egg). Drinking a lot of water. Puffed up feathers. Delilah was a bit under the weather last week, then completely perked up, but unfortunately today she is miserable again. If anyone has any ideas about how I can help her, I'd be grateful. Kind wishes Michelle & Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 I've moved this into the chicken clinic for you. How old is Delilah? Is she sitting in the nest box, or on the roosting bars? Have you tried moving her out of the eglu? How does she respond to this? Has she been wormed recently? What are her poos like? Sorry, lots of questions, but hopefully will give us a bit more to go on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellegeoff Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 Hello Snowy, sorry for putting my post in the wrong place. She is sitting in the eglu nest box, for what seems like ages and ages, and when she comes out she is drinking lots of water. Her droppings have been fine - since her first case of 'miserableness' last week. Delilah is about 2 years old and is normally 'in charge'. We also have Henrietta and Harriet - both of them are fine and naughty as usual. They haven't been wormed for a few months - something we need to do. does that help at all? Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 That's OK, easy done I was just wondering if she could be broody. If so, she may puff herself out and growl at you if you try to move her off the nest. If she is, try to deter her by removing her from the nest. Have a look at the FAQ info on breaking broodiness. I would also worm if it's due. Worms are often the first thing to try to eliminate if a chook appears off colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellegeoff Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 Thanks Snowy, I will try and do those things. She seems to be trying to lay and a couple of times we've had yolks in the nesting box. We collect the eggs regularly and she hasn't laid for a good few days (we can tell whose laid as their eggs are different colours). But I will worm them all and see how she does. I'll be back if there is anything else. Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Aaaah, it sounds like she could be laying soft shelled, or shell-less eggs. Some hens only lay decent eggs for the first year or two, then seem to persistently lay softies. They are harder to lay than a hard shelled egg and the hen often looks off colour, hunched and quiet. Once the egg has been laid they perk up again. You could try to boost her calcium intake by adding limestone flour to her food, or buying a proprietary additive such as Davinova C to the water. Some have a run of laying softies after a moult,then they get back into the swing of things. Some never lay another decent egg One of mine only laid for a year. For the last two years I haven't had a decent egg off her, despite treatments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
