tinamc Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Hi, I have three 14 month old Gingernuts and all have not had any real problems with them. Three days ago when I went to open up their coop, I noticed that Suzie, who is normally first out of the hen house for her feed was last out, puffed up and very lethargic. Later that day she went onto lay a softie and then returned to her normal self. She was fine yesterday and we got her usual lovely egg, however today when I went to let them out it, she was back to being lethargic and puffed up. She has eaten a little today but not really showing any interest in her food, the other girls or her surroundings. She went onto lay another softie, but has still not returned to herself like she did the other day. I was just wondering if anyone could shed a little light on what may be wrong with her. I am still relatively new to keeping chickens, and like I said not really had any problems like this with them so far! Thanks for any help Tina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libby22 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Hi. I have only been keeping chickens for a month or so and have had exactly the same trouble. I did panic and take Pickles to the vet. He said everything was fine however, as she had laid some very large eggs and a few sandpaper like ones, and was so new to it all, she could have some inflammation - he gave me some drops to give to her for a few days. However, I have received advice from two forums that as she is still settling into her egg laying routine, this is all quite normal. Pickles has been lethargic, puffed up, not eating and staying in the nest box until an egg was passed, then she perked right up again. She was very off yesterday and passed a soft egg which looked like just a squishy clear shell. Then she picked up. Today, she looked ill again but stood in the middle of the run, put her head right up and her tail to the floor. I dived into the run thinking she was ill and she passed a complete soft shelled egg in a balloon like membrane. The chickens all dived for it but I got there first! She has perked right up now. I have been advised to obtain some limestone flour to add to her food for extra calcium and when her medication has finished, to worm her as soft shelled eggs can be caused by a worm infestation. I hope that may go some way towards helping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinamc Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 Hi Libby22 Thanks for the reply! Suzie seems to have picked up a little in the last hour or so, so I'm thinking that the softie that she laid this morning was behind her not being her usual self again. I was just a little more worried this time around as she didn't seem to return to herself as quickly as she did the other day. Both of the softies that she has laid sound just like the ones that you have had from your girls. Think that I will give them all a worming and get some of the limestone flour that you mentioned and see if this helps her get over her softies. Thanks again for your help! Tina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libby22 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 You are welcome, glad I could be of assistance. It is worrying. Pickles was off colour for about 4 days in total, only returning to her old self for a few hours and then downhill very quickly again. I worried most when I couldn't get her to drink. Now that she is eating properly, she takes her medicine happily on half a grape so that makes life easier! I never realised how ill they could look when they were due to lay a softie, but you learn something every day. I hope Suzie is back to her old self soon, it sounds like she is good hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
