jackian Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Bonnie is not herself. she started moulting a couple of weeks ago for the first time but so far it has only been a mini one...About 2 dozen feathers / She has not been herself for a week or so , head in neck , hiding ,fluffed up like a puff ball and generally being down but not quite out. Then all of a sudden she will pick herself up and started doing chickeny things. Yesterday after the weekend I was so concerned I took her to the vet in Wycombe who was great. She knows chickens and was sooo lovely with her ( a bit different to the last vet when I took Annie ) Bonnie almost jumped out of the box, red comb , fully alert and swuacking away. She was given a full medical . Her temp was normal,no problems with her vent she could feel no sign of egg problems but of course there could be.She has not laid for 3 weeks which is unusual. no problems with her crop . No breathing problems , no worms , no fleas . Her comb is red and so is her face .In fact in tip top condition as far as we can tell and the vet did not want to give her antibiotics as there is no sign of infection. She thought if there was an infection her temp would be up but it was spot on . Her poo is fine also . She was wormed a week or so ago and she has had a bath . Came home and spent the afternoon under the hedge or just head under her wing keeping out of the way , this morning she is all dodgy again and has hardly moved . Except she does not move for what seems like ages and then I throw some sunflower hearts or meal worms about quite a way from her and she will run like road runner .if I open my patio door she pricks up her ears and is all alert . The only thing I will say is all this has happened since We got the new girls ..I don't think she will be second chick any more as the new girls think it's their birthday being left alone by her . . Please an clues to what else it might be ? Would a small moult cause these problems? I still think it is an egg problem but if it is a soft egg how long can that carry on ? I swear I did not worry about my kids like this . Jackie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Oh poor you, didn't want to just read and run but haven't any other ideas, you did the right thing in taking her to the vet so I guess its a case of wait and see. Not easy I know as we worry about them so much. Perhaps you could weigh her and then again in a week or so, at least it would give you an idea as to whether she is losing weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Oh dear...they are a worry You didn't say but is she eating ok? Crop full and empty in the right order? I would do exactly what your doing and keep a close eye on her We know how the keep up appearances until they can't, you know your girl! I know with mine they did go off food and quiet when they moulted, maybe tonic in their what (I bet you do that already!!) Best wishes for Bonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Chickens really do cause so much stress sometimes - if only they could 'tell' us what was wrong. I don't know what to really suggest as nothing springs to mind...but didn't want to read and run off. I hope your poor girl perks up soon and maybe starts laying again? Have you thought about sending a sample to the vets? Or maybe it's because she's not laying which is causing this behaviour - maybe something related in that dept? Hugs! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Is she an older lady One of my older gals does quite a lot of just standing around, but is otherwise healthy. Do you have the dreadful weather I only ask because my lot just hate it when it rains for days and can sit hunched up under hedges but are otherwise ok. Hope you get to the bottom of it soon. Take care. Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 If she is moulting she probably is conserving energy to try and keep warm - and won't lay eggs while they are feathering up again. They do tend to sulk away when losing feathers. I think it was a strange year as mine were still moulting over Christmas - a long drawn out moult that started in November. Even the spiteful one hid away and only came out when her tail grew back last month. If she is eating and drinking OK then that's good and the vet didn't see anything amiss. Fingers crossed that she is back to her normal self soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 What a mystery. Have you tried some pr biotic yogurt ? Worming is hash on their gut, she might just need a bit of a pick me up. Good luck. Hope she's feeling better soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 Just an update... Today Bonnie came out of the coup quicker this morning but not herself and spent most of the morning like yesterday under the hedge or all puffed up. But she is no worse. This afternoon she gave shadow one of the new girls a peck (improve ing) jumped on a perch and preened (improving ) ate some tuna and sweet corn ( not a lot but improvement) now she is back to under the hedge so I am living in hope . Jackie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Fingers crossed that Bonnie gets well soon for you. It is such a worry when they are poorly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
