ails Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Hello, just wanted to see if anyone can offer me some advice. I collected 3 ex battery hen chickens from the British Hen Welfare Trust back in October. 2 of the chickens have come along really well and blossomed into lovely birds developing a full coverage of feathers again pretty rapidly. One lays an egg every day and the other almost every day. The third girlie has very gradually regrown feathers but still has a badly back end and nearly every day she lays either a shell less egg or an egg which is smashed by the time I go to collect it from the Eglu. Over the last few days the third girlie has been very withdrawn tending to sit with her head tucked in and her feathers all puffed up. Her crop doesn't seem to be swollen or anything and she is still eating and roaming round the garden during the day nibbling on whatever she fancies. I have been given all of the chickens shell improver in their feed along with chicken spice. They have all been wormed regularly. Any suggestions on what may be wrong with the 3rd hen or what I can do to help. Ails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 I think she needs to see a vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken deficient Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Hi ails, I know that soft shelled eggs can make hens feel quite grotty when they are on there way through, but they usually perk up quite rapidly once it has been laid. However, if she is laying soft shelled eggs, this can significantly increase the risk of getting egg peritonitis, so if she is not improving after laying, I think that would have to be a possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 you could try giving her extra supplements just to her on her treats, you have to use a lot more than many suggest. for 5 days on 2 off for a while. They come out deficient in calcium, as their reserves are used up already which is why they break twist bend so easily Or her shell gland might be knackered this is where the shell is created around the egg. You will need a good all round one as D3 and phosphorous are also important for making shells. I leave crushed oyster shell in a pot permanently in the run so they can eat as much as they need, and STILL some need more help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
