Britannia Ovens (esp Range cookers) your experience

[Hayleybug]

this morning i found lola standing on the floor of the WIR having laid her egg on the floor rather than go back up to the eglu. she is standing a bit hunched and her face is paler than yesterday. she also keeps opening her beak a little bit but isnt really gasping. she keeps standing with her eyes closed and isnt running around which is very unusual for her. she also didnt want the grape i offered her which is VERY worrying.

i'm thinking from looking on here it may be her crop, the problem is she wont let me catch her ever, and although she is quite lethargic she is still running away.

i am going to see if the fishing shop is open but as its bank holiday im a bit concerned it wont be, to see if live white maggots will do the trick as advised on here. also i dont think the vet is going to be open.

while i do this, can anyone think of anything else it could be? im hoping its a coincidence that i changed the woodchip in the run as it is a different brand although still hardwood chip for poultry housing.

ive put ACV in their water but she isnt interested in food or water at the moment, im very worried!

[merlina]

How old is lola?

While you're at the fishing shop you might want to buy a net (that's what I have for catching hens in an emergency, others may have other ideas)

I'd agree it does sound possibly crop related, but can't really offer any better suggestions

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Was it an unusual egg? The fact that she laid it in the run might suggest that. Could that be making her feel a bit off?

[Hayleybug]

the egg looked normal, size and shape, not opened it yet but seemed fine. shes not prolapsed at all. shame i didnt think of the net thing for catching her! just got hold of her but shes wriggly and managed to get away having put a poo footprint on my top

have set up the anti broody cage as a hospital wing in my outhouse i use for chicken supplies, think she will have to go in there, she has eaten non of the maggots and not drank anything that i can tell. i wanted to get hold of her to massage the crop a bit before putting her in there but might have to just pop her in with a pot of maggots and some water with ACV and see how she goes for a bit?

[mimi5]

Try and have a good feel and look over her later. If you wait until she has "gone to bed" she will be a bit sleepy (easier to handle!) Maybe nutri-drops to stimulate her appetite?? (Oh and maggots need to be kept in the fridge in a lidded pot with air holes smaller than the maggots or they'll get out ........don't ask )

 

But I'd say vet if you can asap. Hope Lola is feeling better soon

[Hayleybug]

thanks mimi, she had perked up a bit after a good helping of maggots and was even having a proper look around the garden instead of just standing. i will have a good look at her in the morning and try to check her crop (i think i may have stressed her a little trying to get her earlier so i thought i would leave her to it as some colour had come back to her).

if she still isnt right tomorrow i will try some of the vets on the 'chicken friendly' list on here and get her over there. if i can get her in the box of course!

[Hayleybug]

well its a miracle, whoever first used live maggots to clear a blockage was a genius, shes totally back to normal! amazing! will keep an eye on her of course but touch wood she is recovered!

thanks everyone for bank holiday help

[Purplemaniacs]

That is good news.

 

Chrissie

[Egghead68]

Great news!