2025 Omlet tractor Go Up with 5m run and new boxed auto door and covers. £950 for bundle

[Vix_Chicks]

Please help, although not new at keeping chickens, I have been fortunate that my previous girls have never been poorly.

I have had my 'Bluebelle' Bella for 5 months now.

Since bringing her home her comb and wattles never grew or reddened as much as the other girls (but I put this down to her colouring - dark grey) Despite this, she did start to lay eggs.

Just this week she has really been off colour. She has stopped laying eggs and I noticed she had quite a mucky vent.

I cleaned her up and as recommended by the farm shop where I bought her and put her on a course of worming layer pellets.

She picked up yesterday, however today she seems to have reverted backwards. Although drinking, i don't think she has touched the pellets much this week. She likes treats such as meal worms, but will only eat a few. The same with vegetables i have cut up for her. I have tried putting tonic in their water and also liquid calcium.

Bella spends the majority of the time sat down now with her eyes shut (as though she is sleeping) - however she will follow the other chickens whilst free ranging, but it seems very half hearted.

 

I really don't know what else to do....please help.

[Tweety]

How long has she been on the Flubenvet pellets?

 

If she is still on the course, i would cut out the meal worms etc and not give her anything to eat other than the treated pellets and water, and see if she improves. If she has finished the course and is no better, or if she doesn't improve once the course is finished, I would take her to a vet.

[piglet]

From what you have said it sounds like you've done everything you can at this point so I think the best thing for Bella is a visit to the vet if possible. It could be that she needs some medicine & from my experience with my poorly hen they seem to mask illness very well until they are very poorly. Have you felt her abdomen is it swollen at all, is she walking normally? It could just be a tummy bug or early signs of peritonitus....what are her poo's like?

 

I'm no expert just passing on the questions my vet asked me & things to look out for.

 

Hope Bella feels better really soon

[sadietoo]

I agree...if you've ruled out the obvious it's probably best to let the vet take a look at her...

I hope she improves soon..x

[Vix_Chicks]

Thank you to you all for your replies.

Since posting, Bella has seemed a lot perkier. Although she has still not laid an egg, she is walking happily (and normally) amongst the garden. She is picking at grass and bugs etc and definitely seems more like her usual self.

I have noticed though that when she has chosen to sit down, she doesn't rest her bottom on the floor (its as though she is arching her back). She is also keeping her beak open a lot - although she is not 'panting' nor is there any sneezing or discharge. I'm beginning to wander if she is egg bound perhaps? Her poos are quite watery and white.

Any more advice gratefully appreciated - not avoiding the vets, but don't want to put her under anymore stress if I can help it.

Thanks

[Tweety]

I'm glad to hear that she is perkier, but clearly she is not yet 100%. Have you finished worming her?

 

If she were mine, I would take her to the vet just to be sure.

[Egghead68]

If she's egg-bound this needs to be seen to quickly.

 

I would take her to the vet's today.