Britannia Ovens (esp Range cookers) your experience

[scarlettohara]

I have gone through FAQs but need a bit of help. Honey was off colour yesterday, pecking around a bit then sitting. I felt her crop - it was soft. This am she was quickly out of the cube but then stretched out her neck and sort of squawked as if she had something stuck in her throat - she did this twice. She then drank for ages, I am going to bring her in now but don't know what I am looking for ? Help

Edited May 26, 2010 by Guest

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Has she been wormed recently? Have you checked her crop first thing in the morning? It should be empty then.

[scarlettohara]

Thanks for the quick reply, her crop is smal and soft. I have put her in the rabbit hutch with water/life guard and some chick crumbs, she is quite bright. I have flubenvet ready but was advised to wait on here (I got her on 8 April at 20 weeks).

[staceychristie]

What are her poos like? Did she eat much? Ours sometimes stuff their faces, then stretch for a bit. Does she free range, or is she kept in a run, if in a run, what bedding do you use, and do they eat it?

 

Stacey

[scarlettohara]

Her poos are fine, she is on grass in the run and she free ranged for about 4 hours yesterday and was fine until about 5 pm. She is sitting on straw now but not interested in food - might be a softee ?

[staceychristie]

Is she waddling around when walking (like a duck?).

 

Stacey

[scarlettohara]

Will go and see

[scarlettohara]

Put her on the shed floor - she is not waddling, she pecked at some bits on the floor. I have felt her crop again - it seems empty, I very gently massaged it and held her head down but she did not want to be 'sick'. She was quietly bokking while I held her but did not seem in any discomfort. She seemed happy to go back on the nest.

[staceychristie]

I'd keep an eye on her. If a softie is on the way, or two coming together they usually waddle, and have droopy wings (like teenagers dragging their knuckles )

If the crop is squishy like a water filled balloon, then that could be sour crop,(see elsewhere on this forum) but you'd notice a really Yeewww smell from her beak if that was the case.

Keep an eye out for unusual bullying as the rest of the girls will quickly sieze on her illness if she's not 100%.

 

Stacey

[scarlettohara]

Thanks I will, I looked in her beak and it didn't smell. I have separated her for now and I don't think she laid yesterday.

[staceychristie]

Fab. Hope she does what she needs to do soon. Anymore help, just pop back on, and keep us posted.

 

hugs Stacey (cleaning up poops now )

[scarlettohara]

After an hour in the 'hospital wing' she laid an egg with a slightly white top. This is the 2nd time she has behaved like this although last time the egg was completely white so must be egg related. She has been fring as normal all day - eating and drinking and asking for treats. Will recognise the signs next time

[staceychristie]

FAB news!!!! Thought that's what it sounded like. I've found that they soon lay the softie if you give them a bit of privacy and their own cubicle away from the girls. Glad we could help.

Are you sure that she's getting enough grit/calcium etc to prevent possible softies?

 

Stacey

[scarlettohara]

Yes and very much appreciated She has access to grit with oyster shell and is fed on layers pellets and she is the only one who does this, but I am quite happy to try anything that will help her - they are not really soft just white ?