Doody Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Hi all, Ive been keeping chickens now for 7 months, everything has been going great, but this morning i have a poorly chicken and i need some advice. She walks around the garden, but doesnt follow the others today. She is at the moment under a tree just sitting down with her wings just slightly out. She just kinda seems tired. I noticed when she walked she would lose balance a little also. I only have three chickens and im wonder what is best to do. There are no signs apart from tired looking and no interest in food or following the other chickens. Should i just watch her, or bring her inside? Any help would be very much appreciated Doody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doody Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 Ok, now this is really odd, after feeling sorry for herself all morning, and looking poorly, she has just got up walked over and got some food and joined the others. She looks fine now, and just came and sat down closer to the conservator window where im sitting.Im confused, its like nothing is wrong now Oh, she has sat back down again now, looking sorry for herself, but she is very alert!! I think she is having me on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Dear me, she doesn't sound quite right, does she? Maybe she is cold, or has a soft-shelled egg brewing. Keep an eye on her and make sure she's eating, and if she doesn't seem right by bedtime, maybe bring her inside for the night. skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doody Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 No, she isnt fully fit today. She has settled down again now, maybe she is just cold? Who knows. Ill see how she goes this afternoon. I have to say, its all very odd this morning, the other two chickens are sitting cuddled up to the neighbours cat, something i have NEVER seen before!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doody Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 Hmmm, she has gone funny again. Do you think i should bring her inside in a box, get her warm?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 I think I would, whether it's the cold or whether she is a bit poorly she would probably do better using her energy to feel better rather than to keep warm. Maybe you could pop her in a little corner somewhere, not too warm, as you say in a box with one side open, maybe with a blanket in and some food and water? Do you have any nutridrops or something like that you could give her? Hope she feels better soon. skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Or if you have any mixed corn you could maybe feed her some of that, or some warm (cooled down to lukewarm) porridge or weetabix mixed with water? skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doody Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 I think I would, whether it's the cold or whether she is a bit poorly she would probably do better using her energy to feel better rather than to keep warm. Maybe you could pop her in a little corner somewhere, not too warm, as you say in a box with one side open, maybe with a blanket in and some food and water? Do you have any nutridrops or something like that you could give her? Hope she feels better soon. skye x No sadly i dont have any nutridrops. Its very wierd as one minute she seems just normal and then she just sits down and feels sorry for herself. Ill get a big box and put a warm blanket in it for her and bring her inside for a few hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 That sounds really good, as it's going to start getting dark soon, if she is in a room without lights on, she should just roost no problem there for the night. Fingers crossed she is more herself in the morning. If not, perhaps a trip to the vet might be in order let us know how you get on skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 I think I would, whether it's the cold or whether she is a bit poorly she would probably do better using her energy to feel better rather than to keep warm. Maybe you could pop her in a little corner somewhere, not too warm, as you say in a box with one side open, maybe with a blanket in and some food and water? Do you have any nutridrops or something like that you could give her? Hope she feels better soon. skye x Can I ask why you say to keep her somewhere 'not too warm'? We have one of our girls not well today and right now we have her in the living room, would that be too warm for her, really not sure what to do. We have a conservatory, which is colder than the rest of the house and probably warmer than the Cube but just want to know what to do for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Hi Mercedes, As far as I know, it's best not to keep them anywhere too warm, so that when they go back outside it isn't too much of a culture shock. When our girl was poorly we kept her in an unheated bathroom, so it may have been about 8C at the time at night. The vet told us as long as she did not have a cold draft and was out of the damp, she would be better in a cool room. Also, I read on here recently that the ideal temp for chickens feels a bit chilly to us - i.e. probably a bit below room temp - I'm guessing here but between 10 and 15C perhaps? Sorry to hear your hen is poorly too It's up to you, but perhaps if she has either aubiose or a blanket/sheet in the conservatory, as long as it isn't freezing as well, it may be better for her? Hope she feels better soon. Perhaps somebody more knowledgeable than me could confirm that... er... Egluntyne??! skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doody Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 Oh dear, seems a few of us have poorly chooks today. Could it really be the weather? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Oh dear, seems a few of us have poorly chooks today. Could it really be the weather? It could well be the weather. We've had just a little snow, but temperatures down to -13, and the chooks are not impressed. They aren't in a hurry to get up in the morning, have a feed of corn- which I give them first thing, a drink of warm water , and then spend most of the day perching and snoozing.They are no where near as active as they usually are, conserving energy I should think and I don't blame them . Hope your chook is better in the morning, try the warm water - mine love it, maybe some pellet porridge first thing , or some mixed corn to give them a bit of warmth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 It hasn't been that cold here compared to other parts of the UK. For some reason Hertfordshire seems to have escaped the really cold and snowy weather, we've had about an inch of snow and that's all. The temp has been down to about minus 5 at night and we have been leaving the Cube door open, but the Cube is inside a WIR and it's right in the corner of the garden which makes it quite windproof. We have tarps all down the long side of the run and although we did consider shutting the door we are aware that the Cube has quite a lot of ventilation in it anyway and not too sure if closing the door would actually make it any warmer. Our ex batts all sleep in the nest anyway which is right away from the door. On the occasions when we have checked on them at night our Salmon Favorelle is the one nearest the door and she is really big and chunky. However if someone more knowledgeable thinks it's best to close the door while it's this cold then we will as we don't want them coming to any harm. Our Bella seems fine this morning, she's been eating and drinking and we've moved her into the conservatory now. It's zero degrees in there at the moment Doody, I hope your girl is better this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Glad to hear Bella seems a bit better this morning Mercedes! Good girl Bella. How is your girl today, Doody? skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Glad to hear Bella seems a bit better this morning Mercedes! Good girl Bella. How is your girl today, Doody? skye x OH took Bella to the vet earlier and she was diagnosed her with peritonitis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doody Posted December 4, 2010 Author Share Posted December 4, 2010 Good news, she is back to normal. It was very odd though, it was just like she was fed up with the snow!! However saying that all three of them are now running about and playing (yes playing in the snow) Its sadly now started to rain and they are just looking up at the sky and getting wet. Honestly, i think my three girls are a little insane lol. They have had a good breakfast, and some treats for lunch, so hopefully in a minute they will go under a tree and chill out for a hour or two. Thanks for everyones help and support it was very much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skye Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Ah that is great news, Doody! It sounds like she has made a good turnaround. The temporary respite from the worst temperatures may also be helping her to get her strength back today. Keep an eye on her all the same, I'm sure you are anyway. What a good girl she is. Mercedes, at least you have a diagnosis from the vet. Hopefully he/she has recommended the best course of action for Bella. skye x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Doody, glad to hear that she is better today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laydies of Letters Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Phyllis has just decided to be 'a bit peeky' today as well. I think she is limping a little though I can't feel any heat in her legs and she put on a turn of speed when I tried to catch her! More worrying is she seems to be trying to poo and nothing is happening. She laid yesterday (perhaps the egg was a little smaller than usual?) I've put her in a poultry crate in our outbuilding (the boiler is in there so it cool but not cold) with porridge made from pellets with some sultanas and a sprinkling of poultry spice. Anything else I should try? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Could be a large egg causing some problems. They can press on a nerve causing a limp. If she's straining to poo it could be that she's straining to pass an egg. I would palpate her abdomen gently to feel for an egg and lubricate the vent if there is one there. Giving some extra calcium can help them contract to pass it. Best by injection but of course it's sunday. The other advice about warm bath etc., is in the frequently asked questions section. I would take action if it is that, otherwise she could prolapse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laydies of Letters Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Thanks for the advice! I've given her a good 'feel' and there is nothing obvious there, I am not sure what I am feeling for but everywhere outside her ribcage feels soft and it doesn't feel like there is something there. She's been in the poultry crate for a good 3 hours and has only eaten a little and there are no droppings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 See if you can temp her to drink. Grapes contain a lot of water. I would cut them up for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laydies of Letters Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 See if you can temp her to drink. Grapes contain a lot of water. I would cut them up for her. Humm, is she sending you telepathic messages? She would do anything for a grape... I've just fed her 10 small grapes which were snatched from my hand and is now eating some soaked grain (the porridge is nice but it does give one a sticky beak) I'll see how she does... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Porridge made with pellets and stuff does get food and extra water down She can always clean her beak on you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
