Wanted Please - Harrogate / York / Leeds area

[Nelmel]

I got Kona on 20th April as an ex battery hen. She doesn't seem to be as lively as other hens and at first she used to puff her feathers up a lot with her tail down. We took her to the vet who gave her a calcium shot and we really ramped up the tonics etc since. Some days she runs about fine and other days she sits puffed up with her eyes shut, but as it has been close to 2 months Im beginning to wonder if she is just a bit moody? She has had a cold also for 2 weeks - vet said he could give us anti biotics but best to battle it out as she was prob quite immune as she was ex battery. Her poo seems normal and she eats a fair bit. When we let the hens out she finds a sunny spot and sunbathes and if its cold or wet she doesn't come out. She scratches around etc and goes foraging but nowhere near the two other greedy pigs we have. She just isn't lively and she doesn't get as excited over treats as the others who go mental. I thought she was moulting as was finding feathers but none seem to be growing back and she looks worse now then when she came from the battery! Vet just said she is probably still stressed but its been two months! What should I be looking out for? She has a bald patch above her tail on her lower back and that doesn't appear to be growing back. When i check her for mites she has a lot of matted feathers under her wings too. I just want her to be happy and pain free!

[The Dogmother]

I would worm them all with Flubenvet and check them for lice too, to eliminate any problems caused by parasites. You are doing the right thing by giving her tonic, hold back on any treats and just see how she goes. As an ex-batt she will have had quite a hard life so far, so she may just be exhausted.

[Nelmel]

Thanks, taking her to the vets tomorrow just to be sure Im not missing anything!