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[Pipichick]

Hi,

 

We have two ginger ranger hens which we got on Monday so we are pretty new to this.

 

One of the hens has started laying, but when I came down this morning I noticed that this hen ("Ginger") looked a little under the weather. In that she seemed to be just standing there not moving around like she normally does with her eyes closed.

 

When I looked in the Eglu egg box I noticed some blood spots, and then saw blood on the hens back feathers. Therefore we took her to the vet this morning. The vet did not seem to be a chicken expert but did say that Ginger looked bruised and torn inside. Neither of us could explain this since there is no egg, or no signs of eggs this morning and since Wednesday has been laying normal eggs.

 

The vet gave her some general antibiotics and a pain killer and also thought that Ginger had a snotty nose and said that she would order some antibiotics in for Tuesday for Mycoplasma which I cannot see ????

 

Anyway Ginger is now in a large card board box in the kitchen with food and water close to a warm radiator.

 

Does anyone have any ideas what might be wrong, or any advice ????

 

Thanks for reading.

[Pipichick]

Update... Although Ginger still looks a little lethargic, a perfect has appeared in her box. It isn't any bigger than the previous eggs, can eggs get stuck??? I am feeling a little more positive now, the vet seemed to imply she wouldn't see it through the bank hol

 

Hubbie has just got back with some grapes and raisins to try and perk Ginger up .

[Tutti Frutti]

Glad she's perked up a little! Was the blood around her vent or could her tail feather's have been pulled??? Sorry, I don't know, just trying to offer some moral support and sympathy! These girls can get us so worried, can't they? She'll love grapes - just make sure she doesn't eat them whole or they can get stuck!

 

Good luck and hope she continues to improve

[Pipichick]

Thanks Tutti Frutti The blood was coming from her vent, the vet said it looked like she had 'given birth' and torn badly ?! Have started her on the antibiotics and sprayed some purple aloe vera spray around her vent as she was preaning herself a little too eagerly. She isn't breathing heavily and rasping and there isn't any discharge from her nose so I'm hoping the TLC will sort Ginger out

[Egluntyne]

I'm wondering if she has briefly had a prolapse, which has righted itself, but has been pecked at either by her companion, or herself, with you mentioning that she is preening herself excessively.

[Pipichick]

Thankfully Ginger seems more her herself after spending a night in isolation She has been free ranging around the garden this morning enjoying the sun and Doodle has been behaving herself too. We have decided to buy a third hen to improve the balance of Pipistrelle Manor and hopefully Ginger and Doodle will feel more settled

 

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice and reassurance

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Very glad to hear Ginger seems to be OK now . They're worse than kids for worrying us, aren't they .

 

If you are planning to get more hens, you might like to read this? You may be OK as you've not had your girls very long so they might not be territorial or aggressive to a new girl. Be aware too that breeders are sometimes loathe to sell a lone hen so you may be better getting two. If you don't have an extension on your eglu run, it may be a bit small for 4 (but it would be fine for 3 if you do find a single hen).