3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[SecretSheep]

Please can anyone help?

 

We have had our 4 chickens for 3 weeks approx. They have been well, happy, and free-ranging before bedtime.

Portia is approx 10 months old and has been laying 3 days on, 1 day off. She was due to lay first thing this morning. When the chickens came out of the coop, Portia looked unwell. She was not eating, and was huddled with her bottom in the air under the ramp. I had to leave her to go to work. On my return, she was in the nesting box. I left her there an hour in case she was laying. She came out with a lot of persuasion, and went for a long drink. Then she went straight back into the box again. She has diarrhoea (I've seen the poo pictures) which is brown or yellow with mucous. She hasn't laid today. Her comb is still bright red.

Is it possible dodgy plums/slugs/toadstools have disagreed with her? Up until this morning she was perfectly fine, eating, laying, no problem.

 

Your advice would be hugely appreciated. Thankyou.

Edited October 6, 2010 by Guest

[Chucky Mama]

It is possible that there is a soft shelled egg on the way.

[SecretSheep]

OK, I'll look out for that, thankyou. She hasn't improved this evening.

[Chucky Mama]

It shouldn't take too long for a softie to be passed. Give her a thorough examination tomorrow paying particular attention to vent, possible abdominal swelling, check for parasites, look at eyes and listen for rattles. What is her worming status?

[SecretSheep]

We haven't wormed her while she's been with us, so I don't know. We have isolated her, but does she need to be kept warm?

[Chucky Mama]

As you don't know whether she has a temperature I would be inclined not to warm her. Just keep her comfortable and quiet out of any draughts. She may well need a trip to the vets if there is no sign of improvement tomorrow. Lets hope she produces a softie and then feels better. Good Luck tonight. When she recovers from this episode it would be worth dosing them all with Flubenvet. They would be done 3-4 times a year.

[Chucky Mama]

Just re read your opening post. I see that you have only had them for a few weeks. Where did they come from? The stress of moving can often result in a previously undetected illness coming to the fore. Is the only symptom the squits?

[SecretSheep]

Thankyou. I'll let you know how she is tomorrow.

[SecretSheep]

Portia is much better this morning. There is no sign of any egg in her box, would there be traces even if she'd eaten it?

She is wandering around the garden, eating. She's a little slower than normal, but is clucking for the first time since we saw her unwell yesterday.

She smells badly and she is mucky around the rear end. Will this be self-fixing?

 

They came from Oak Meadow Farm in Romsley, nr. Stourbridge, which seems reputable.

[Chucky Mama]

Glad to hear that she is brighter this morning. I would give her a bit of a wash and brush up around the back end. There is always a risk of flystrike when things are smelly.

[SecretSheep]

I took her to the vet as she was still looking poorly this afternoon. Vet found a broken egg inside. Hopefully Portia will recover quickly. She is isolated. What do I need to feed her? Do I need to stop her laying for the moment or will she stop anyway?

[SecretSheep]

Update: Portia is well again, although she hasn't laid yet since her trauma.

Thankyou for your help.