[little brown hen]

Hello, I would welcome any advice regarding my ill chook.   She is an ex-battery hen, about two years old and yesterday her face and comb went pale and wrinkled and seemed slightly swollen (never seen that before).   She has gone into her house, wont come out, wont eat but will drink.   Others out and fine, scratching away.   Wondering if she has eaten something that disagrees with her when out and about, or allergic to something she found.   Has anyone else seen this, and what should I give her?   Thanks.

[kegs]

Have you tried tempting her to eat by giving her some pellets with warm water mixed into a porrige?  I can't offer any other advice because I haven't had ex-bats.  I think I've read though that because of their difficult start they tend to have a shorter life span and are prone to more illnesses but I'm sure someone will be along to confirm that soon.  If it's just something she's eaten then hopefully she will be out and about tomorrow.  Do keep us updated and let us know if you see any other symptoms.

[ANHBUC]

If she is off her food she could have an impacted crop.  Others will give you advice on how to check for it and how to treat it.  There is some information on this link

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=4345.0

just scroll down to the section on Crop problems.

[Aidy]

Ex bats are hard work, I love having them but they are times when they always seem to be ill.

There could be any number of reasons, impacted crop, sour crop, worms or some kind of stomach infection if they have eaten something that was decaying in the garden etc etc, here is a link which may help with diagnosis.... http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044 there some tables at the bottom.

With mine I am a strong believer in precaution, I make sure they get plenty of ACV and garlic in the diet, I also use dried oregano, I have read many a article on the powers of this, also boiled stinging nettles I have heard help to keep the worms at bay, tho you must always worm them with flubenvet. Check the pooops what are they like, there is a great linky with some good pictures on the site.... http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=17568.0

[little brown hen]

Thank you so much for such helpful info.   Sadly she died very soon after - I think she may have been 4 years old so perhaps old age had something to do with it.   I have two groups of girls, 2 years and 4 years so I suppose thats old for an old batt!   But Im certainly going to use your advice for my remaining girls.

[joyfull]

that is a good age for an ex-batt so just shows how well you were looking after xx

[ANHBUC]

   Sad news.  Well done you in giving her a quality life in her later years.

[little brown hen]

Thank you so much.   I love keeping old batts, they are so good natured, no fighting, so happy with anything you give them, love their foraging time out.   Not the most beautiful of hens, one has a leg sticking out at an angle, she came like that poor soul.  Vet said she would put her down but I reckoned she deserved a life and she is loving it, hobbles around on her one and a half legs.   A mongoose got one of them a month ago, they are a real danger like your fox problem in the UK.   Unfortunately there is always an enemy you have to protect them against!

[ANHBUC]

The mongoose does sound like our fox. 

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