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

[good_egg]

Viv (who I called a little madam in another post yesterday) hasn't been right since I came home yesterday. I was away all day and got home to find the remnants of a soft shelled egg in the run. I pulled it out and set up their omlet netting to let them out. I know Viv layed it as coco had left her usual offering in the nest box and lulu is nowhere near laying yet. I thought Viv had eaten it as she had marks on her head and crest, but these could have been sweet corn swingball stains!

 

Anyway, when she was out in the netting she kept sitting down and was breathing quite heavily (whole body seemed to be moving). She still ran away when I tried to catch her, but then say down again. Put them away and then later she was still sitting a lot. Last night I brought her in and sat her on a hot water bottle. She only pooped a few times overnight but seemed ok. Put her back in run with other two and she seems a bit listless again. She pooped three times in quick succession (one curry and the other two perhaps a bit watery) and had a wee wander round but now she is back to sitting on the cube wheel and she was letting Lulu peck at the stains on her head. She got up when I went out and seemed to poo again (her bottom was away from me so didn't see anything fall) but Coco tried to peck her bottom. When i checked this morning it looked normal (although only secon time ive ever seen a vent!)

 

Her tail was a bit down. When I went out again she was in the house but came out and seemed perky, but no evidence of anything in house. Had to leave for work now. Think I'll have to take her to vets tonight.

[Olly]

I'm assuming she is quite a young hen? It's most likely that she is laying another soft-shelled egg, it can make them seem very off colour, but it could be an infection of some sort so you might be safest to get the vet's advice.

[good_egg]

She is young, not exactly sure of age but about 18 weeks. Still looking very sad at lunchtime according to hubby so just heading home to take her to vets. Would have thought 24 hours on if softy might have laid? Will update when back. Fingers crossed!

[Mrs_B]

Hope your girl is OK! Thinking of you!

 

When my chook went quiet/lethargic on me, I thought it was because she'd laid a softie (based on the great advice here) but she was passing not one but a couple and once she'd passed another she was a new chicken. I hope this is the case for your hen so she can get back to her routine!

 

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[good_egg]

During the day yesterday my OH had reported back that Viv did not look good so I was rather worried as I headed home. Viv is his favourite girl but he thought we were taking her to be put down. But when I got home to take her to the vet she looked like a new chicken

 

I was totally torn whether to go to the vet still. There was no sign of an egg anywhere (but then I suspect she scoffs them)! I decided the appointment was in 10 minutes and just in case she was having a random lease of energy and went down hill again we would go.nI ended up putting all three in a box and taking them along the road (turns out there is a vet less than a mile away - handy). He took out Viv with the comment "well she isn't underweight anyway" - cheeky man! He checked her over and had a good feel of all orifices and declared her in fine health. He was actually more worried about our lulu who is smaller than the rest and appears to be moulting - I've posted a question about her on the main board.

 

Have a day off today so am watching them all from my viewing window and they all look fine! So relieved! I believe that is chickens 2, paranoid owner 0!

[Mrs_B]

Hope it stays all good for you, good egg! Enjoy your day off with your girls

 

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