[themagicaltoad1]

I'm about to fly off on my hols and my oldest hen, (4 1/2years), has suddenly started to look very poorly. She's just standing around all hunched up. Her crop is empty, I've tempted her with a bit of fishy cat food and a handful of corn but she's not really interested, she has had a drink though. Her eyes are bright, there are no unusual lumps anywhere and she's breathing fine, she just doesn't look well. She stopped laying about a year ago after passing a lash so it can't be anything to do with that, and they are regularly wormed with flubenvet. The problem is I'm leaving them in the care of a young chap whose staying here while I'm away and I just know his extent of care will be to let them out , feed, water them and lock them away again each night. I've got a feeling she won't last the week.

[ANHBUC]

I think you know your hen better than anyone else and if you feel that the end is near and she will possibly suffer while you are away you will have to make the decision none of us relish.     I hope she is just having an off morning and improves as the day goes on. 

[themagicaltoad1]

Well I just had a final look at them all and she's no worse than she was earlier. I've put them in their run where they will have to stay for the week, and she made an effort to get the corn I threw them, so fingers crossed she's just having an "off day".

[ANHBUC]

I hope that is the case and you can go on your holidays and relax.  Hope you have a great time.   

[grinling]

give the hen sitter the website site address

[BobE]

give the hen sitter the website site address

Good idea, what about your login,  you could change it when you return.

[ANHBUC]

give the hen sitter the website site address

Good idea, what about your login,  you could change it when you return.

I would not advise anyone to do that, you can have your hen sitter join before you go and introduce us to him so he knows he can call on the forum for advice.