essexhen Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 So it would be a weekend when the vets are closed that speckles seems to be ill. I've never had a sick chicken before so I'm hoping that if i describe the symptoms someone might be able to tell me what's going on. Speckles is quite a young chicken and has been laying for a month or so now on a regular basis, she's usually quite a firey type and second in the pack hierarchy. Tonight she seems lacklustre, she's keeping her back end low, her eyes seem unusual, her pooh is green and she allowed herself to be caught for the first time, there are no obvious signs of problems when we picked her up, no injuries or swelling. What's really worrying me is that she seemed to loose her balance and stumble earlier and she's shown no interest in treats, she seems slower when she moves and just generally lackkustre. One more thing, when we caught her, she tilted her head down and stuck her bum up in the air and stayed like this for a few minutes, have I got it wrong and she's not ill she's broody? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 She does not sound broody at all. I have no idea what is wrong though and I hope someone will come along and give you some advice soon. If she was mine I'd just keep an eye on her. I don't know what you can do. Just make sure she doesn't get picked on by the others and maybe isolate her in case whatever it is happens to be contagious. Hope she perks up. It is horrid when a pet is ill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 The tilting her head down and sticking her bottom in the air sounds like she is crouching. That is normal in a laying hen. Has she been wormed? She could be working up to laying a soft shelled egg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandkymberley Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Hi, yes she could be crouching, something that hens do when they are laying, so you might not have seen that before. they sort of spread there wings abit and patter there feet on the floor- well thats what all of mine do! i have 3 newbies who are just coming into lay and they have all starting crouching an odd few times so thats a good sign if its that. The only thing i could suggest, what i personally use to perk my hens up is a bit of crushed garlic, probiotic yoghurt and cayenne pepper, they love it! or feeding cloves of garlic on there own works a treat too, really good for hens in general. Or maybe some ACV or poultry tonic in the water? which ever is easiest for you really. All those bits should hopefully perk her up, if not maybe a trip to the vets is needed, but i would try a pick me up first and watch her carefully. Hope speckles is feeling better soon xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Cayenne pepper? I haven't heard of this for hens before. Any more info on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 She could be working up to laying a soft shelled egg I have a Bluebelle who is quite new to laying and it's taking her a while to figure it out - what you've said is pretty much how I'd describe her when she's trying to lay a softie. Her tail goes right down, poos get a bit runny and she looks like she's straining sometimes. She's not so eager for treats and moves a bit gingerly. This lasts a day or so until she passes a softie (often with a second, separate yolk) and then she's back to normal. Scared the life out of me the first couple of times, but now I just assume she's got a softie coming when she's under the weather. It's happened three or four times in the month since she started laying. I hope it's something simple and she's better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandkymberley Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Egluntyne - ive read about it in chicken books and online - look for natural remedies. I have found its good for worming, immune system and mites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I have found its good for worming, immune system and mites How do you know that it is working for any of these things? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandkymberley Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Well research on websites etc, i dont use it for those things, i use it for a pick me up, like you use garlic but thats what i could find it relates to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I have found its good for worming, immune system and mites How do you know that it is working for any of these things? Well research on websites etc, i dont use it for those things, i use it for a pick me up, like you use garlic but thats what i could find it relates to Just be careful placing any reliance on things like this. There are many 'old wives tales' around and I am afraid that cayenne pepper will almost certainly do precious little to promote the health of your chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexhen Posted July 17, 2011 Author Share Posted July 17, 2011 Well thanks for all the replies, she does seem a little perkier today, her egg seemed normal so will just keep an eye out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Sorry essexhen, we did get distracted with the whole cayenne pepper thing Glad to hear that she is better today. As you say, you do need to keep a close eye on her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexhen Posted July 17, 2011 Author Share Posted July 17, 2011 Hhhmm so I was 95% certain that the egg was hers, but she's spent all afternoon in the nesting box sat on where they lay, so I'm back to wondering if she's broody, my Ginger ranger may well have laid since I collected the eggs earlier so I guess she could be sat on that, just wondering what's she's actually sat on now but don't like to disturb her. Update - I just checked again which startled her into leaving the nesting box, and she wasn't sat on anything. Very mysterious, because the egg that I thought was hers might have been from the Ginger ranger in which case maybe she's egg bound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
