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

[cd8jbr]

Hi

 

I'm a bit worried that Funky's comb has gone quite dark and floppy, although it was never very upright. She's been bright eyed and eating well, loves being out and about and just chilling in the sun - but somehow I'm still a bit worried.

 

Her 'sister' Dumpling, is beautiful and looks so much stronger than Funky - more alert, more energetic...more 'alive' for want of an apt description. They will celebrate 2years of freedom in October so they aren't young anymore and we've had no eggs this year so they are comfortably retired now- as indeed they should be, they've done their bit!

 

I have found a few feathers around though and wonder whether Funky is going into a moult and that could be the cause - any ideas?

 

I'm dreading being left with just one, especially as Dumpling is so old now I'm not sure that introducing others old be fair but winter might be hard if there's just the one and that's without the loneliness issues...

 

Any ideas gratefully received, I'm worming them now as they are overdue (bad mother!) but not sure what else might help...

 

Thanks

 

Jill

Edited August 29, 2013 by Guest

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I think a dark comb is a sign of heart trouble but I'm not sure.

 

If you are faced with losing her, I think introducing new ones to a single hen may be OK as there won't be the same pecking order issues.

 

Hope she perks up .

[Purplemaniacs]

I agree with ANH a dark comb can mean heart trouble. Latte my oldest hybrid has a dark comb at times and earlier in the year I thought this was maybe the end so I brought her into the utility only to find that she perked up and I then had to re-introduce her to the hybrid group as they had rearranged the pecking order in her absence. I was clearly too soft and kept her inside for too long

 

She is fine in herself but some days her comb is darker other days a lovely bright red.

 

There is a post about intoducing new chooks to an older, single girl in the Chickens section

 

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=94649

 

Chrissie

[cd8jbr]

Thanks for that - its what I was afraid of, but hopefully she will be around a bit longer. She does have rather clear to yellowish watery diarrhoea as well now if that means anything. She is still eating and is interested in things which must be a good sign although is a bit subdued. She's a bit tucked in at the moment too but not so much.

 

I gave them both a bath as their bums weren't too pleasant today and they are tucking into a crumb/cod liver oil treat as I write.

[cd8jbr]

Me again. I'm pretty sure Funky isn't long for this world - she's standing around looking a bit fed up and not bothered but thankfully I don't think she's in pain. She's eating but mostly when I put it in front of her but then she tucks in with some gusto! She's wandering around the garden a bit but mostly she just stands there - she's a bit drawn in but her tail is still up (just) and her eyes are still bright.

 

i have calculated the worming dose (flubenvet) to be as sure as possible they get a proper dose as there's just the two of them and that's going well.

 

Is there anything else I can do? I have given them a warm straw bed, mealworms, a bit of cat food (fish type, which they love) as well as their pellets and crumb - but they're old now and deserve some treats and I think it's keeping Funky interested.

 

Any ideas? Thanks

[Patricia W]

I think you're doing all you can. They've lasted a long time with you compared to some ex-bats so just keep on doing what you're doing.