Hi, All I hope someone can help and i'll try and keep it brief!
We had 15 Ex Batts at the beginning of March and they had been settling in wonderfully. They all seemed happy other than the odd spat sorting out the pecking order, but when it came to food etc they were happy trying lots of new things as well as there pellets. They have plenty of room to free range, and are tucked up safe and sound at night.
Anyway on Friday one of the girls seemed off colour,she didnt seem to want to come out of the coop, so we let her stay in thinking she might just feel like some quiet. :roll:
By the afternoon she had wandered around a little so we fetched her out into the garden away from the others and tried to offer her drink and some food. She made a feeble attempt at drinking and stuck her beak in the food not actually eating anything.
She took just a few steps but kept 'falling asleep'. she could barely keep her eyes open leaning her beak against the wall and literally nodding off unable to keep her eyes open.
by late afternoon we were more and worried so we used a pipette to try and get some water down her at least and put her in a cat box with straw so that she could rest without being bothered by any of the others.
Sadly Saturday morning she had passed away. :cry:
Although we were obviously upset we told ourselves that she had had a very happy few months with us that she wouldnt have had otherwise.
Anyway this evening Beatrice another chook seems to be showing similar symptoms. She didnt come in at bed time so we carried her in and she is usually one of the first up on the perches but tonight she has sat down in the corner with her head against the wall. she is definately not herself and we really dont know what we can do.
in a nutshell has anyone got any ideas what could cause 'sleepiness' symptoms?