[Oliveview]

Last week we had a hen that was very unwell, she lay on her side without moving all day, no drinking or eating. We were going to ask our neighbour to ring her neck, but put it off. That evening I moved her to a nesting box, she still could not stand up, she just lay on her side.  The next morning we expected her to be dead. Jim went down to feed the hens, there was no sign of her in the hen house she was walking about with the other hens she is a lucky hen.

Pamela

[joyfull]

strangely though they often lay down on their sides with their wings outstretched to sun bathe - mine will do that for hours and hours.

[Springlands]

I found one of our original chickens on her back with feet up in the air - she was elderly for a hen and I thought she was a goner. When OH had a look at her she opened her eyes and he placed her back on her feet - she gave a little shake and wandered off. She lived for about another six months bossing the other hens as usual. 

[chicken henry]

Our hens often lay on their sides with one wing out sunbathing ! and when they have their dust baths they are always on thier sides and sometimes make me laugh out loud at how much they get covered in soil and dust !

[Oliveview]

This hen was not sunbathing, she was ill, Jim moved her to the shade inside the henhouse, she lay in the same position all day. We were certain she was a goner!!

Pamela

Ps. We thought the first hen we saw sunbathing was dead

[joyfull]

Pamela I think you may find the laying on their sides sunbathing comments were in reply to a poster who put that you should never lay a hen down on their side. The poster has removed her post after seeing our replies.

[Oliveview]

Thought the replies were a bit strange
Our garden is a dangerous place to walk in the summer when the ground is really sandy, we have deep holes everywhere.  The hen that was ill is fine still, so fine we do not know which hen it was, as they all look similar

Pamela