[paulclifton]

After waiting 2 months, our first hen has finally laid her first egg. Great news! but now the hen has gone very quiet. She seems to be eating and drinking, but is hiding in the house and sitting down a lot. As a bloke, I would think that passing something that big, would required 8 years bed rest and a medal. but I'm worried about the hen.

Is it normal that after such a shock, the chicken needs some 'time out' or should I be more concerned?

[Aunt Sally]

have you examined her botty for any tiny tears Paul ? 

[paulclifton]

I'll check tonight. If there are tears, what's the best thing to do?

[Foxy]

Sometimes the first egg can throw them a bit, see how she is tommorrow. Did the egg have a normal shell?

[paulclifton]

Egg and shell where fine. She's making a 'throaty' sound now when she breaths. she's walking around but still very subdued.

[Foxy]

Hello Paulclifton, it does sounds like she may be a bit chesty, there seems to be a lot of it around at the mo. When a pullet comes into lay it can put their immune system under strain so she may have had an infection brewing. Have a close listen to a "well" chicken,   observe her beak opening and closing slightly? Does it look like they are panting? pop the bird close to your ear, can you any crackling, wheezing?Check her abdomen ad compare to the other birds, is it the same? Or does it feel tighter or fuller?

By your description it sounds like a chest infection and a course of antibiotics  from the vet asap should sort her out, and wont be to expensive £20 -£30. Give the house a thourough clean with disinfectant and replace bedding so its nice and dry. Applc cider vinegar in the water 25ml per litre will help too. Good luck!

[parsleypig]

One of our hens was very subdued after laying her first egg and I was quite worried about her but she soon perked up after a day or two. 

[paulclifton]

Thanks for all your replies, but in the imortal words of 'Allo 'Allo "we 'ave a dead hen"
Daisey, my daughters chicken, died last night ready for her birthday today!

So my new question is, what do people do with their dead chickens?

[leena]

Now that is such a shame for your daughter. is she very upset? poor chicken I wonder what went wrong?