[Nina 77]

Hello - up until now I have never had any problems with my little girls (I have 3  minatures -  1 Wellsummer, 1 lavender Araucana and 1 araucana and silkie cross).  they are coming up to 2 years old.  My silkie cross ( Dusty) goes Broody ever other month... which is adorable.  She was broody for the best part of February and about a week or so ago showed signs that she was coming out of her broody tendencies.  2 nights ago I went to shut them in the coop but realised Dusty has not made it up the ramp to bed...I picked her up and put her in.  she did the same thing last night.  She is not eating but still drinking.   We took her out today and she is walking very slow and gingerly... she waddled back to the coop and is sitting underneather the housing unit.  I am just wondering whether there could be an egg stuck   the other girls, which share the same coop and eat the same food appear to be completely fine.  Any help would be much appreciated.  I love my little chooks and hate to see one not well

many thanks

[Pol]

Hi Nina, I am not sure whats wrong with your hen but if you think she has a egg stuck take her to the vets, they should be able to tell you 

[Jeanette]

You could sit her in a bowl of warm water for half an hour to forty five minutes it will help to relax the muscles and if there is an egg she might be able to pass it easier. Chickens will relax when you give them a bath they do like it. When you get her out dry her of with the hairdryer on low do not have it hotter as it will burn her skin. Also feel very gently under her vent if an egg is there you may be able to feel it. Be very carefull so as not to break the egg inside her.
Also feel under her wing is it warm then feel under another girls wing to compare. If she feel hotter then she is running a temperture.
After you have done all this if she is no better then a trip to the vet would be in order.
Hope this helps. Let us know how you get on.