Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[redcharlie43]

One of my ex-batts Bully is unwell and I would really like some advice. Her comb has been tinged blue on occasion ever since we got her nearly 18 months ago. But over the last 2 days she has seemed quiet and her comb has gone very blue whilst the rest of her face is very red. She is hunched over today and not moving around much, although she does seem to be trying to eat and drink and when I let them out to FR she did wander about a bit. I have checked her over and have noticed she has lost a lot of weight. The only thing I can find wrong is her crop feels like playdough and can be moulded unlike the others which feel like they always do. It is not full and I can feel the grit in it. I have given it a massage (And I know she is not well as she never lets me pick her up if she can get away and certainly would not lie placidly whilst I checked her from top to bottom.) and put her back in the run with the others. Her vent looks fine, I can't see any lice or nasties on her or in the cube and I don't think she is egg bound as she hasn't laid for about 8 months. They were all wormed about 3 months ago and I have ordered some Flubenvet to worm them again when it arrives. I don't want to take her to the vets yet as she just seems slow rather than in pain or distress.

Does anyone have any ideas or is it just her time to go and FR with Baldy in the sky?

[KimmyCustard]

Could it be Sour crop? I am a newish hen keeper as well (only a year in!) and it is all rather a guessing game until you come onto the Omlet site and everyone helps!

 

There is some info on this site for sour crop, I think if it feels squishy the food isnt going through the gut as it should and she may need help in expelling said food as it will go off if left and make her ill.

 

Sorry to be so vague, someone will be along to advise you properly I'm sure!

 

Hope she's OK. x

[redcharlie43]

Thanks for the reply. I don't think its sour crop but honestly don't have the experience to exclude it completely. She took herself to bed tonight with the others but honestly I am not looking forward to checking on them tomorrow before I go to work.

[KimmyCustard]

I know how you feel, one of mine is poorly as well, not eating and the vet doesnt know whats wrong .

 

Maybe have a look on Practical Poultry and post a question on Ask The Vet? He may be able to help you a bit more and put your mind at rest x

[Tweety]

You could try giving her some Beryl's Friendly Bacteria. I had a problem with one of my ex batts, which I thought was her crop. She had lost weight and her crop felt very much as you describe.

My avian expert vet diagnosed a problem further along in the digestive system, flushed out her crop and gave her a dose of Beryl's and she has been fine ever since.

Other than that, I would probably take her to a vet and get her checked over. The weight loss is a worry.

[redcharlie43]

Well ,she made it through the night and was in the cube with the others when I came home tonight. Her comb is now red and has no blue and she seemed a bit perkier when i checked on them before bedtime. Her crop felt better tonight as well. There was an egg membrane in the nestbox tonight so maybe that was from her and she was a bit under the weather due to a soft egg even though she hasn't laid an egg in about 8 months! Fingers crossed she will be OK. Thanks for all your advice.

Laura

[redcharlie43]

I Just thought I'd give an update on Bully. She is now better and is back as the top hen. However her comb ends that went blue were obviously damaged and have now fallen off. It looks like she has had frostbite to them.(Although I know this is not the case as we had no cold weather when she was ill). She was poorly for about 2 weeks. I did keep all the hens in for a week and wormed them, gave them tonics etc and gave them no treats and during this time she really perked up. I was convinced in the end she had peritonitis as her undercarriage felt very strange, almost like she was a hot water bottle if that makes sense ! However all seems well now and thanks everyone for the advice on the forum.

[munkee1965]

Glad to hear she's got better