surfer_chicken Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 About six weeks ago we lost two of our three chickens to a fox. Gingy (2 1/2 years) survived unharmed and we got Lily (amber star ) to keep her company. For the first week before Lily arrived Gingy continued to lay her usual 5 eggs a week, but almost immediately after Lily arrived Gingy stopped laying and hasn't done a single egg since. Lily is now laying but it is very clear that all of the eggs are her's as they are very small. I thought it could be due to the stress of the fox attack followed by the introduction of a youngster, but now it has been nearly 5 weeks since she last laid and I am getting worried. Before now she has been completely fine in herself, eating normally and being just as cheeky as always, just no eggs . But today she is hunched over, tail down and mostly staying in one place. Her face is paler than normal and also a bit blotchy. She brightens up a bit if you pick her up (hopeful for a treat most likely!); her eyes are bright and her nostrils are clear. I have given her some worming treatment just incase this is unrelating to the lack of eggs recently, and I can't see any sign of mites. Also, if it helps she is still crouching and every morning she sits on the nest and rearranges the straw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted April 9, 2011 Author Share Posted April 9, 2011 Today she's doing a sort of waddle when she walks as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I would check her abdomen to see if it is swollen, it could be the dreaded peritonitis, or an infection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 It does sound suspiciously like peritonitis. Have a feel as Plum says for a swollen or tight abdomen. She could be brewing a softie but that should pass within 48 hours tops. If there is swelling, she needs to see a vet I am afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted April 9, 2011 Author Share Posted April 9, 2011 I've had a feel. I wasn't really sure what to be looking for as such, but in comparison to Lily her abdomen doesn't feel swollen. Is there any treatments I can buy from pet shops or anything for to treat infections? Unfortunately the head of the household isn't too keen on vets I hope it's not peritonitis after only just losing my other two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I am afraid if it is peritonitis she will get rapidly worse and there really is no over the counter treatment for her. If your OH is not keen on vets and you are confident that this is the problem you really need to cull her or get a local farmer of poultry keeper to do this for you. To treat it (which is usually only a short term fix- often buying them a few months) it will at the minimum be the price of a consultation, possible draining and antibiotics(£30 minimum. If you search the forum, some has spent in the region of £300 to 'treat' hens with this. So, I am afraid if you are confident that she is fluid filled there are some difficult decisions to be made Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 This morning her abdomen is swollen, so I'm having to fear the worst. She still hasn't left the eglu. Thanks for your help anyway. I'll have a talk and hopefully get her PTS by the vet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
