Solitary chicken - need advice

[Flowerpot]

Hi

Can anyone help me please

On Monday I had a tree surgeon to cut off some branches of a tree near the hen run so that I could tidy up the compost heap. Martha wouldn't come into the run so in the end I had to catch her and very unceremoniously put her into the run.

Yesterday she was fine - or at least she seemed fine; she laid her usual egg etc

Today she is not ok. She has not laid an egg, she is drinking alot of water and seems to be shaking her head before she drinks. She looks depressed and has gone into the dust bath I created under the Eglu cube with her back to the world.

i am sure I should separate her but I have a broken hand and that means I may stress her more as I try to get her.

Can anyone give me any advice please? I have just lost Rosie to a prolapse I really don't want to Martha to die just because I don't know what I am doing

Flowerpot

[mimi5]

Oh dear Flowerpot! It could be stress. Do you have any nutri-drops? These are a great "pick me up" for hens If not just keep an eye on her and do what you normally do routine wise. Do they free range? That might cheer her up Obviously if she's not eating and hunched/fluffed up tomorrow I would take her to your vet. Also could it just be age?

 

Hope she picks up

[Flowerpot]

Thank you mimi5

Yes they do free range in an afternoon so that they have their layers pellets in the morning.

I don't have nutri-drops.

Where can I get them?

Should I put some cider vinegar in their water?

Martha will only be 1yr old. She is in moult and has just begun to grow back some feathers on her back.

I really hate the idea that if I knew more I would be able to help her.

Flowerpot

[Mrs_B]

Hi, Flowerpot.

 

Please don't be hard on yourself - sometimes we never know what's wrong with our chickens. They are very good at hiding how they feel when poorly. I would look at some basic checks, such as checking when you last wormed them, red mite, lice etc. Maybe she's trying to lay a softie egg? How does her crop look, is she eating too?

 

I'd go with what mimi says and if she's no better maybe a trip to the vet is best? Good luck, hope she gets better soon!

x

[Beantree]

As MrsB says I think. Check poos as well. Could well be stress, especially if the tree surgeon used a chain saw. We can loose egg production for up to a week if the petrol mower or strimmer gets too close to them.

[Flowerpot]

Hi

Martha went into the nest box and I think she has laid an egg.

I have let them all out to free range and she came out. I had put out some fresh greens and mixed corn with mealworms and she has had a bit of a peck but has gone into the trees away from the others. At least she is in the fresh air and sunshine.

i have ordered some nutri-drops so I hope they come sooner rather than later.

Thanks for your help everyone

Flowerpot

[mimi5]

Well Flowerpot, that sounds positive It may have been the egg?? If she's just started back in to laying or the stress of the tree surgeon.....you may never no what!!

 

My lot forget what the lawn mower is from year to year So, I've been holding off so far.....but the lawn is looking tuffty ...... as I know they''ll be traumatized!!!

 

But, being serious, the nutri-drops are a really good stand by for any "off colour" chook.

[Flowerpot]

Hi

I think you are right mimi5. Martha is now laying her egg later than she used to and I think I now see her before she has laid one whereas before I always opened up to an egg laid.

I think it must have been the tree surgeon's chainsaw that terrified her.

I won't do that again! fortunately my lawn is just recovering from the girls free ranging so it will not need cutting for a while!

I may still give her the nutri-drops when they come.

Phew! I thought I was going to lose another of my girls.

Flowerpot