Rob Thomson Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Hello, One of our BHWT ex-batts seems a little under the weather at the moment. Her unusually large comb is quite droopy and has lost it's usually bright blood-red colour. I suppose I'd describe her comb as looking slightly deflated in terms of its shape and texture. She doesn't seem quite as cheerful as normal, but the change is slight. Otherwise she seems in very good condition. She's as heavy as she's ever been, she's eating normally, she still comes running like a mentalist when I shake the mealworm tub... we gave her a good looking over tonight and nothing is obviously amiss. We've had her since November 2013 (so she's getting on for 3.5yrs old), she hasn't layed for about six months. Any ideas? Thanks, Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 She is a good age for an ex commercial girl, I assume you have checked her tummy for any obvious swelling reddening or the like. Have wormed them recently? I assume there are no sign of mites etc Although she isn't laying, does she lay softies and eat them? She may just be getting a bit old and stiff? I have an arthritic ex batt:( all the time she is eating/drinking I would just monitor her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Thomson Posted September 10, 2015 Author Share Posted September 10, 2015 Hello, Thanks for the reply. Yes, she's up-to-date with Flubinvet, I've never seen evidence of mites, and she doesn't lay soft eggs. She was much more lethargic this morning so she's now booked in to see the vet ASAP. The only other symptom is 'dandruff', can't tell whether it's flakes of skin or feathers, which I haven't noticed previously. Perhaps it's mites. Thanks, Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 I think she may have started to moult Rob and that will run her down as well. What you see with the 'dandruff' may be pieces of new feather sheath breaking off from around the feather? Have a closer look, particularly around the back of the lower neck to see if there are any new feathers coming through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Thomson Posted September 10, 2015 Author Share Posted September 10, 2015 Thanks Beantree. Yes, on closer inspection they do seem to be little pieces of feather sheath and there are new feathers growing on her lower neck. Tonight she's even turned her nose up at mealworm - is moulting really enough to make her quit her favourite treat?! Thanks, Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 I've never heard of a chicken refuse a mealworm Rob, so perhaps there is something else wrong? We do have the occasional moulting hen stop eating for a day or so though and then give her a plate of wet mash, which is just pellets soaked in cold water and stirred to a paste. No-one refuses wet mash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 How is your chicken today ? Did you manage to get to the vets ? I hope she is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 How is she getting on? I too was going to suggest she could be moulting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...