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

[good_egg]

My black rock coco wasn't herself last week but we worked out she was broody when she plucked her little tummy and stuck herself in the nest box. Locking her out for three days and a series of baths seemed to cure her at the weekend and all looked good. Her comb wasn't as red but I assumed that was because she wasn't laying. Tonight she looks a bit redder and was squatting but when I went out to say goodnight she (and lulu) were tucked up in the nest box. I prodded them output got a feel of Miss Cocos tummy and it felt a bit more rounded and toasty then "normal".... I haven't felt many chooks tummies. She hasn't laid for about a week and I'm a bit worried she has peritonitis..... Hoping i am just super paranoid after losing Viv last week. She is acting normal otherwise, but looked a tiny bit fluffed up first thing this morning and she wouldn't normally sleep in the nest box. What does a normal chicken tummy feel like? Could it be an egg on the way? Didn't notice it earlier..... Stress!

Edited August 10, 2012 by Guest

[Mrs_B]

Oh, no

 

Is it worth taking her to the vet for piece of mind? I haven't got much to add as I don't have the appropriate knowledge.

 

You WILL get a break soon - good luck!!

 

x

[good_egg]

I might have to for my piece of mind, think they may just laugh at me though! She looks the picture of health in the run, tail up, eyes bright and chatting away. Her comb is slightly less scarlet than before still. She climbed the ladder at her normal egg time (about 5 min ago) but got followed up by the other one who just won't leave her alone. They both came down less than a minute later. Will have a feel of her tummy later, have no idea why it's meant to feel like and the other girl hasn't started to lay yet so all of her bones are in different places! Fingers and toes crossed! Thanks

[Tweety]

Her tummy will feel very warm if she is broody, so as long as it is not swollen too it sounds perfectly normal.

[good_egg]

difficult question to answer - but how do I tell if it is swollen? Would it be obvious - it feels rounded but probably in line with her rib cage, perhaps a little bit in front..... As I said, I'm not really sure what is right....

[Egghead68]

Hopefully she is fine.

 

Peritonitis feels squishy - you can feel the liquid in there.

[good_egg]

I think (hope and cross fingers) that she is fine and I am just overly fraught. Her tummy is warm and toasty, but I think it is because she was broody and has plucked all the feathers. Her tummy feels rounded, but I have decided probably not swollen and feels sort of similar texture to my own - squishy but not sloshy.... She is the absolute picture of health in most respects, scoffing her food and water, cleaning herself, strutting up and down the run demanding to be let out. The two of them keep trying to sleep in the nest box, but will move when I have shut the cube door - I think they are just missing their Viv hot water bottle/draft excluder. I'm much more relaxed, but keeping my eye on her as she still hasn't laid. Her comb is still a bit pale, but I read it can take a while to come back into lay after broody patch. Will give her a thorough check for mites again tonight and a good old once over and report back.

[Egghead68]

All sounds good!