Wanted - Eglu Cube Mk1 Roosting Bars

[wickit]

Hi,

We have 2 bantam Pekin hens & a cockerel, one of the hens seems rather out of sorts. Normally the 3 of them are fairly close together when wandering around the garden, along with our 2 Ambers. We have noticed over the last couple of days that the one hen is always at the back of the group or on her own. When she is on her own, all her feathers are puffed up around her & I have noticed that when she has been walking around the garden this morning that her feathers are still puffed up. I think she is eating & drinking, but can't be sure. I have also noticed that her comb looks a little floppy. I can't get into their part of the garden to take a closer look at her, as I have a bird phobia (I know that sounds a little strange, but having the chickens has helped me a bit).

[wickit]

I have just been out to take them some treats (cucumber & tomato), she is pecking at the pieces, but not as much as the others. She also seems very flat to the floor.

[Snowy]

It is good that she is eating and drinking, but to be honest you probably need to get hold of her to check if her crop is full, or if she has lost any weight. If you can't do it, is there someone who could do it for you?

In the meantime, check the basics - have they been wormed recently? If not, do that. Check for lice and mites, although again this needs someone to grab them for you.

Would someone grab her and put her in a pet carrier for you so you could nip her to the vet for a check up?

Hope you get her sorted

[Egluntyne]

You don't mention how old she is.

 

Has she been wormed recently?

[wickit]

Thank you, Egluntyne & Snowy. I'll get my partner to give her a quick once over when he gets home from work. We'll get them wormed too & pop some cider vinegar in their water. I think all our Pekin's are about 18 months old. I've just been out to have a look & the other hen & cockerel aren't too far away from her now. We shall keep an eye on her.

[cyclonetog]

I'll grab her and check her crop when I get home.

 

Gave her a quick stroke this morning while she was on her own in the coop and she made a bunch of chirpy noises...

 

Worming is probably about due so I'll mix up some flubenvet later on too.

[wickit]

She's still not right today & I noticed that she was very lopsided on the floor. The other Pekin hen & cockerel have been pecking at her neck & she now has a bald spot. She has now been separated from the others (with the help of one of the neighbours) & is currently in a cat carrier under the kitchen table near the radiator. She seemed quite happy though when she was being handled & was chirping when being spoken. I have put a small amount of water with some cider vinegar in with her & am off to a local poultry farm to get some mixed corn. I have spoken to the poultry farm & he said it was best to separate them, to keep her warm & try her on the mixed corn.

[Plum]

She does sound poorly, it must be hard when you are nervous of them anyway. If I was you I'd take her to the poultry farm with you and ask the farmer to check her over.

[wickit]

I took her to the farm on Thursday morning (it's a lot cheaper than the vets, £1 a day). The farmer had a good look over her when I dropped her off, he couldn't see any obvious problems with her. He thinks it could possibly old age, he thinks she's about 4/5 not the 18months/2 years we thought. He's going to keep her there for 7 days & be said that he maybe able to bring her round, so fingers crossed.

It is hard being nervous around them, but I think I've done pretty well this week!!!

[Plum]

That's great to have someone with experience to back you up. Fingers crossed for her and well done you.

[wickit]

We've just got home from the farm & unfortunately it's bad news. After putting her under a heat lamp with some chicks, he thinks she had a stroke, so he made the best decision for her & put her out of misery. It's a little sad, but it was the best thing for her.

[Plum]

Thats sad, so sorry

[wickit]

Aww, thanks Plum. This was the reason why we've never named any of our chickens, just so we didn't get too attached to them. I know that some people may think that is harsh as we feed & care for them etc, but we don't think if them as pets.

[Snowy]

Thats sad, but you did the best thing for her.

[sparkysmum]

Sorry to hear this sad news. Alli x