poor hen

samuria · « **on:** July 16, 2020, 20:00 »

i have a polish bantam which until this morning was the liveliest of all my
chickens... today she just seemed to stand about looking through the fence .
she was the first out in the mornings and last in at night. i checked her over and she has eaten i felt her crop. she did go in the coop tonight herself.
any ideas folks

New shoot · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2020, 11:06 »

If she has eaten and seem otherwise well, it could be a soft shell egg. They struggle to lay them and it makes them out of sorts for a day or so. The other hens could have eaten it, so you might not find the egg itself.

samuria · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2020, 11:50 »

thanks new shoot. watched her eat this morning. just a few pellets and a bit of lettuce.
then had a drink.seems a bit more life in her today, but still not her usual self.
hoping for the best...

samuria · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2020, 08:00 »

just a update. she is still not her usual self, but a lot better than 4 days ago.
eager to come out this morning, but not so fast, had a nice feed.
then she attacked the lettuce which i hang up for them.
so looking good

New shoot · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2020, 09:57 »

Sounds like she is making progress

Have you wormed them recently? That may be worth doing.

The only other thing I can think of is that she ate something that upset her (dead baby bird or something equally unpleasant) or that she has done some physical injury to herself. I have had hens jump down off things with a thunk and make a leg sore.

grinling · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2020, 19:50 »

lettuce is a diuretic, so try a cabbage instead

samuria · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2020, 09:55 »

Quote from: grinling on July 20, 2020, 19:50

lettuce is a diuretic, so try a cabbage instead

so are lettuce bad for chickens

i have
feed them to my hens for ages... no problems ......

New shoot · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2020, 20:19 »

I think grinling is saying that for a hen that is under the weather, it might be better to avoid it. You want to keep her hydrated, especially if she is not eating or drinking much.

Mine always seem to enjoy half an apple to peck when they are unwell.

samuria · « **Reply #8 on:** July 24, 2020, 10:13 »

mine have apple as well they like it alot......

samuria · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2020, 12:36 »

sadly the hen is very poorly today, she seemed to pick up. but as of yesterday
she has gone downhill. when i picked her up her rear was very dirty and smelly. crop was empty.
i gave her some fluid and bio yogurt with a syringe, but later she had sicked it up.
she is now just sitting in a large box in my greenhouse.in a shaded spot. ( yes its not to hot there)
i don't know what else i can do?

New shoot · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2020, 16:36 »

The only thing left is a vet visit. The vet may be able to help, but they may just say it is best to put her down. Some would choose to cull the hen themselves, but that is your call. Either way, she needs help either beyond your scope or just to stop any suffering.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that is the reality of chicken keeping sometimes

samuria · « **Reply #11 on:** July 26, 2020, 18:35 »

thanks new shoot, i thought that might be the answer. i have culled chickens just this one has been a great little lady. sat on 2 lots of eggs all hatched and some now in our pen.
don't want her to suffer so if no real chance of a recovery so be it.
she may be older than i know as i rescued her when sadly a mates dad passed away and i took her in.

New shoot · « **Reply #12 on:** July 26, 2020, 20:52 »

It does sound like something pretty serious is wrong with her. For a hen to just sit moping and not eat, means they are pretty ill and of course they hide it until it is too late to help most of the time. If she can't keep anything down, you are limited in options.

Such a shame when they are a bit of a favourite, but you gave her a chance. You took her in and she obviously landed on her claws with you. A happy life and a caring owner who tried their best until the end

samuria · « **Reply #13 on:** July 27, 2020, 10:28 »

well i done the deed. laid her to rest under the plum tree,
she was so thin. rip my little lady

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