Sageandonion Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 (edited) Not sure if there is something wrong with Funky Chicken. She was perfectly fine this morning, eating happily and scratching around. Ate grapes at lunchtime with her usual enthusiasm. We've been out this afternoon and came back just before 6pm. Went out to check on the girls and gave them a handful of corn. Funky chicken usually tucks in to corn with great gusto but tonight she was not interested at all and didn't have any. She was just hanging back looking sorry for herself and wouldn't come out of the run either. She took herself off to bed soon after. She is about 23 weeks and started crouching earlier this week. No eggs yet. Are chickens sometimes out of sorts just before laying the 1st egg? She wasn't sneezy and no signs of discharge just wouldn't eat the corn and looked . Will obviously see how she is in the morning and take it from there, but wondered if any one had any ideas? I'm sorry it's not much to go on. Edited February 26, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 This is going to sound like the vaguest answer ever but........ It could be because she is about to start laying. I have noticed that POL can get a bit stroppy/pmt-ish as they begin to lay so it is a possibility. It could be that she stuffed herself with grapes earlier and is having a "fat" day I very rarely feed my lot grapes as have had crop issues in the past as they swallow them whole. What did her crop feel like before bed? Or it could be something completly unrelated to eggs and grapes. See how she is in the morning, you might find her back to her normal self however if she is still down in the dumps I would check her crop ( has it emptied over night?), offer her some water with nutri-drops or similar. Check her poos and go from there really..... Told you it was going to be vague sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 Many thanks for your response. I'm hoping it is a case of feeling a bit out of sorts as she's about to come into lay. Re the grapes I do chop them up into smaller bits, but she is a greedy girl as far as they're concerned. OH felt the crop and thought it was ok but we've only had the hens 6 weeks or so and don't really know what we're looking for. Any pointers re normal/problem crops would be appreciated. I have some apple cider vinegar and citricidal (sp?) in the garage is one or other similar to nutri-drops? Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 How is she this morning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted February 27, 2011 Author Share Posted February 27, 2011 How is she this morning? She is fine this morning, first out of the house and started eating straight away . Phew! There were 2 eggs in the house. Only Peckers has been laying to date. One was in the nest box, normal - I'm guessing it was Peckers. The other one was on the floor of the house, a little squashed. Normal contents inside but the shell was softish. Just googled soft shelled eggs and it looked like some of the pics. So I'm guessing it was Funky's 1st egg and last night she was brewing a softie. She's scratching around now quite happily. I'm so relieved, hate it when a pet is ill. Thank you for asking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Congratulations. The soft shells will soon sort themselves out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted February 27, 2011 Author Share Posted February 27, 2011 Thanks Plum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 glad she's feeling better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneyolktoanother Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 so glad she is better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted March 6, 2011 Author Share Posted March 6, 2011 Thank you - had another softie but she's sorting herself out and has laid some double yolkers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
