Margalot Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Hello, Henny Penns one of my Brahmas is 2 years old and at the moment is looking quite unwell. She isnt eating not even corn, which they always gobble down. I have cheked her over and she hasnt got an impacted crop as far as I can tell, in fact it felt completely empty this morning, she hasnt got any egg problems, lice, no gasping or gaping beak, comb still very red, but hunched up at lot of the time or sitting down. the only thing when I picked her up today she has major feather regrowth going on, lots of the pin quill things all over her. Do you think it could be this making her feel down or is it likely to be something more serious? I was half expecting her not to get out of the coop today, but she did. I also wormed them around 4 weeks ago, and I would worm them again, but would have to dose her individually as she isnt eating? Any advice appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 With a major moult she will feel under the weather as she is using up all her energy to grow new feathers. I'd give her some Nutridrops as an immediate pick-me-up, then add Life-Guard to their water on a daily basis until they've finished moulting. Dried mealworms for extra protein wouldn't go amiss and may tempt her into eating. I'd try not to handle her when she has quills as they can be very tender and any handling causes discomfort or pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margalot Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 Thanks DM, They already have lifeguard in their water, and I bought some meal worms yesterday which she pecked at, I did notice that she had a watery vomit yesterday when I went out to see her, so could be sour crop? Although her crop felt empty to me. Any way nutridrops ordered and off to buy some maggots from the fishing tackle shop today. This morning she was last out of the coop, and created a bit of a panic when I could only count 4 chooks in the run, I was sure she was going to be dead in the coop, but thankfully no! they are such a worry. Thank you. It could just be one of those things I suppose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Chickens can't vomit as they don't have a gag reflex, but if their crop is full of fluid (sour crop) then it can leak out if they are picked up or they put their head down. Of course there's a risk that they could aspirate this, so you need to take care. If she has sour crop then her crop will feel like a balloon of water - squishy and semi-full, and her breath will smell; amggots will only be of use if she has an impacted crop (hard and full). I'd empty the crop out; open her beak and quickly tip her upside down - be very careful not to get any on you as it will stink, then syringe feed her with a couple of mls of neat ACV 3 x a day for a couple of days. Take care never to feed bread as this is a prime cause of sour crop when the yeast starts to ferment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margalot Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 Well Henny Penns seems much better, no more hunching up and toddling around with the other hens, she has eaten lots of mealworms (dried) and seems to be back to normal behaviour. The only thing is she will not touch the afternoon corn treat, which seems really weird to me? there is always a scramble for the handfull or two of cron, but she just inst interested. I am still waiting for my nutridrops to arrive, bit cheesed off actually after paying £6.00 p & p I though they would have been delivered next day! as it cant be the weight thats costing so much! Nevermind I will dose them all up when it does arrive as they are all losing feathers every time the wind blows! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 i have a hen that gets stasis ever moult, she is in the hospital wing at the moment bless her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 i have a hen that gets stasis ever moult, she is in the hospital wing at the moment bless her. that is interesting,,, logged in brain for future refernce to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
