Poorly chicken. Will she die ? Not eating

garddwr · « **on:** October 01, 2008, 18:23 »

I've realised now for 3 days one of my hens hasn't been eating and was wondering do any of you know what could be wrong with her ? Will she die ? What should I do ? Here are some pics of her:

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Vember · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2008, 18:29 »

She looks bright enough :?

Is she drinking?
What does her crop feel like?

Are you 100% sure that she's not eating anything, not filling up on worms, bugs etc...

Is she moving around??

Have you tried her with things like catfood, corn, fruit?

What do her poops look like if she's doing any??
Is she /has she laid an egg yet??
Have you wormed them recently?
have you checked her over for any signs of any creepy crawlies?

Sarah

garddwr · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2008, 20:31 »

Quote from: "Vember"

She looks bright enough :?

Is she drinking?
I'm not sure I haven't seen her,I don't think so
What does her crop feel like?
Haven't felt it just looked and it looks fine

Are you 100% sure that she's not eating anything, not filling up on worms, bugs etc...

Is she moving around??
Not a lot shes a bit slow and dosen't come to the gate when I go in like the rest
Have you tried her with things like catfood, corn, fruit?
Dosen't eat fruit and veg used to tho

What do her poops look like if she's doing any??
I dont now
Is she /has she laid an egg yet??
no she has stopped laying
Have you wormed them recently?
I don't worm them
have you checked her over for any signs of any creepy crawlies?
no but I've checked the coop for red mites e.t.c

Sarah

too many girls · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2008, 21:04 »

nnbreeder · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2008, 00:08 »

Does she stand erect and kinda waddle like a Penguin? If so she is probably eggbound. Place her in a washtub of warm water just deep enough to cover her bum. The warm, not hot, water will help her relax and maybe she will pass the egg. Also keeping her in a darkened space will help them pass the egg.

garddwr · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2008, 07:35 »

egg bound ? I have'nt heard this before but I guess she's slow moving about and her head is sort of tucked in to ther feathers a bit and she hasn't beeen laying. I thought this only happens to pullets that are laying for the first time ?

Could this kill her ?

nnbreeder · « **Reply #6 on:** October 02, 2008, 07:50 »

Being eggbound can happen to a hen at any age. Sometimes it just happens and the egg may even be the same size as the ones she is used to laying. It can also be caused by a soft-shelled or shell-less egg as they may try to lay at the end of the laying cycle or the start of a new cycle.

Vember · « **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2008, 08:21 »

It would help if you could answer some of the above questions I put Garddwr, it will help get a clearer picture

Like NN said it could be a soft shell or egg bound but in my experience I have never had one not eat for 3 days :?

Not eating will kill her she will starve to death, being egg bound could kill her

Ok just seen that you have answered my questions in the quote will read them now

Sarah

Vember · « **Reply #8 on:** October 02, 2008, 08:27 »

If possible I would pick her up and give her a proper examination, check round her vent for lice.
Also have a good feel at her crop? It should feel empty as she's not eating.

I would defo try and get them wormed.

If you would like I could pop over and have a look at her today??

Sarah

woodburner · « **Reply #9 on:** October 02, 2008, 09:18 »

Probably not much help but ex-bats need extra calcium, than layers mash or pellets provide.
Layers feed is formulated to give enough calcium for hens up to 2 years, older hens need more.
Calcium is vital not just for egg shells but for the muscle contractions involved in egg laying.
I don't think low calcium alone would put her off eating though.

garddwr · « **Reply #10 on:** October 02, 2008, 16:53 »

thanks for the offer vember but its ok I think she's getting better now anyway.I'll hope for the best

happy chick · « **Reply #11 on:** October 02, 2008, 17:11 »

Very interested in your last post, Woodburner, as due to pick up four ex-batts in a fortnight.

Didn't know girlies needed extra calcium. Was going to post tonight to ask if any views out there regarding cod liver oil vs poultry spice vs apple cider vinegar???

Would any of the above provide this or is the extra calcium found in oyster shell :?

Forgive me if this info is on old thread; always learning

chickchick · « **Reply #12 on:** October 02, 2008, 17:18 »

Quote from: "Vember"

If possible I would pick her up and give her a proper examination, check round her vent for lice.
Also have a good feel at her crop? It should feel empty as she's not eating.

I would defo try and get them wormed.

If you would like I could pop over and have a look at her today??

Sarah

wish you lived near me sarah, as you could take a look at my lottie and ould love to see your ducks!

happy chick · « **Reply #13 on:** October 02, 2008, 17:36 »

Echo chickchick's sentiments entirely; need a Sarah in every county

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Poorly chicken. Will she die ? Not eating

Vember

too many girls

Vember

Vember