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

[Dandypandy12]

A few nights ago something (we dont know what) got into the encloser.

One of the chickens died (we think from fright, there were no obvious wounds)

thankfully I was awake and heard the commotion so there were no other deaths however, in the morning when i could have a look at them there were two problems. they ALL were acting very shy but two of them got over it very quickly.

the other two were acting very odd, all fluffed up and hiding at the back in the bushes at the back of their run.

 

One of them (Pi) has just got better the other day. she seems to be back to her old self (though still a little shy) however Foxy lady hasnt recovered as well. She has improved slighty and is now eating and does move around a bit and looks for shade, food and drink but not as much as she used to. Ive examined her and I THINK it must be her wing. if i move it she hunches up a bit more and she holds it slightly down. she also walks a bit unbalanced and when she is just stading there she sometimes holds one foot up.

 

Does she have an injury? or is it just shock? If she does have an injury what could I do? (trying to avoid any expensive vets though)

[Olly]

It sounds like an injury - in the panic to get away from whatever it was, she could have sprained it or bruised it. In that case, it should recover in a few days - if it's broken however, she'll need veterinary treatment. Might be worth ringing the vets to find out what they charge, mine treat hens at 'small animal' rate so it's not too expensive.

[Dandypandy12]

Thats what ive been hoping. She has definatly improved from a few days ago but this is the first time weve had a problem with our chickens ^^'

 

does anybody know the symptoms of a broken wing? or a sprained one at that?

[Dandypandy12]

Also should I seperate her? we have an old rabbit hutch and run she could be put in. or would it be best to leave her with her flock?

 

she seems to have gotten a bit worse and hasnt moved much at all today.

[Egghead68]

It sounds like she needs to see a vet. If you phone around you might find one who doesn't cost too much.

[mollyripkim]

Henrietta fell off the ladder about a year ago and was holding her wing down at an odd angle and was very stressed. Saw the vet within an hour who X-rayed it but couldn't find a large break but said a small bone could be broken. Anyway we opted to have it strapped which stayed on for three weeks, initially we kept her separate but she hated it so we let her in with the others. None of them took any notice of the strapping and she was fine afterwards. The strapping seemed to take away the pain as well as after we came back from the vet she had some treats and acted as if nothing had happened. The bill was around £50. I hope your girl is ok.