Omlet cube and run

[Saff]

I have three dorkings - a year old. They've each had their problems. However am very worried about Elsie. Normally the fierce leader of her small flock for the past couple of weeks she's been clucking continuously, fluffing out her feathers and flattening herself into a great big pancake. She sits in the nest box the whole time and won't be moved. She is eating but i'd say her appetite has decreased. And she doesn't fight for the treats any more.

Her egg production has definitely dropped. Yesterday I noticed that she had lost all the feathers on her tummy and around her crop and there seems to be a great big blood filled contusion under the skin. I can't work out if she's pecking herself, one of the other girls is pecking her or... if there is something more sinister going on.

 

I can't work out if her stomach is distended or not, and am reluctant to feel too much around her crop as this is where the wound/problem is.

 

Any thoughts/advice gratefully received.

 

My hens live in one of these and they (well we) love it....

Elsie Silver Grey Dorking (fierce leader)

Gwen Silver Grey Dorking (clever chicken)

Rosie (underhen)

Edited April 25, 2010 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

She has gone broody.

 

Some useful info **here**

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Exactly what I was about to say - classic signs .

 

Not sure about the "blood filled contusion" though . Are you sure it's not just her crop? Any chance of a photo?

[Saff]

Thanks for your responses.

Glad about the broody thing - that's what we thought/hoped it was. But it's a shame too as she lays the best eggs! (huge - around 70-75 g)

The 'contusion' (i've been watching too much Casualty) - is visible because she has no feathers there. It looks like a big varicose vein, and it did bleed (i think she may have pecked it). I'll try with a photo at some point but am here on my own at the moment and getting one would be a physical impossibility.

[Saff]

I think i've just realised the problem. I read all about being broody. They pluck out their breast feathers to feather their nest. I think she's gone too far and pecked herself as well (my hens do have a bit of a tendancy to do this...)

Thank you for the broody link. I've been doing the wrong things - as the nestbox was low on straw and she was in there the whole time and she had a wound on her breast i put in more straw to make it more comfy for her.

 

What a worry these hens are.

[Saff]

One final thing - I have now felt her crop. I'm wondering if it is impacted. It feels very full and although she's been very cross with everyone recently, she really didn't mind me massaging it. What is the solution to an impacted crop - i think i've read something about live maggots but i'm really hoping that isn't the case!

Many thanks

[staceychristie]

Yes, live maggots work (YYEEWWWWWW!!) but they love them. I used them on one of ours - fed early evening. I've also used olive oil (syringed into the beak) then GENTLY massage the crop.

Good luck

 

Stacey

[Saff]

Thanks Stacey - we will source the maggots today and try that.

I'm not sure the problem is as bad as I originally thought - her crop feels smaller this morning. But to be on the safe side she can have a maggot treat.

[Christian]

The contusion you mentioned it just bruising where they pull out their breast feathers. It will soon heal and new feathers should start to grow back soon.

 

Good luck with her 'broodiness'

[Saff]

Thanks Christian - that's reassuring to know. I have dunked her now a couple of times and it works for a while; but eventually she goes back to the nest box and puffs up again. I guess I'll just have to keep dunking until she gets the message!