[Alby]

One of my girls is acting very strange.  She takes herself off to the nest box and "hides" amongst the straw for sometimes hours !! Today she didnt move for 3 hours.

   She is the only one not to be feathering up and still looks as she did in late December when we got her. She did come out tonight for the bedtime treat and seemed to eat well.

  No sign of any infestation or physical damage . Ive left the photo large to let you have a look.




    Any idea what could be wrong

    Alby

[Hawkins]

I dont know Alby. someone with more knowledge will be along soon but just wondering
1. what is her poo like
2. is she laying
3. does she feel warm to touch.
4. is she drinking.

sorry i'm a bit of a poo freak but you can tell a lot from it.

[poultrygeist]

Her comb looks very pale in the photo. Are the others nice and red ?

Has she ever laid an egg do you know?
And has she laid recently ?

Otherwise, what Hawkins says.

Rob

[wafflycat]

Poor girl. Is she the lowest in the pecking order? I agree with what Hawkins says  - plus any chance she can be given some high protein treats such as mealworms which might perk her up a bit?

[Alby]

she is drinking, dont think she has laid yet although at the moment only 2 from 5 are laying,  the others combs are a abit brighter and before she went like this she was not at the bottom of the pecking order. TThe others are still being good to her.
    She does feel very warm to the touch ?
    No idea what her poo is like as they all seem to vary depending on what they eat ?
    She has been freeranging when I was on the plot this am, then just took herself off to bed as she has for the last 2 or 3 days.
  Regards and thanks  Alby

[poultrygeist]

Would you be able to check for a retained egg alby ?

If she's a bit weak she may not be able to push so to speak. Just a thought.

If she's warmer in her 'armpit' than the others it could be that she has an infection.
Could be a crop problem also ?

Rob

[Modern Game Bird]

Hi, I was just wondering if you have wormed your ex bats since they arrived?  We use Flubenvet - which I know you can now get in smaller doses than 240gram pots.  If she has a worm burden though, she will feel very light weight and may have frothy mustard coloured diaorrhoea.  Are her vent (bottom) feathers clean?  this can also be an indication of worm burden.  When in doubt, I use Intervits vitamin electrolyte powders in their water for a couple of weeks and this gives them a vitamin boost and then worm them just in case.  Also you can use Cider Vinegar or Aloe Vera Juice in their water.

[Foxy]

When she comes out does she eat normally? I was wondering if she is a little broody - ex bats sometimes do but dont tend to sit for very long and they dont seem to go broody in a very "typical" way if that makes sense. I only wonder as she is hiding - and does eat and drink when off the nest.
As has already been mentioned, she may have a laying problem. A good time to check is when they are roosting and quiet. Pick up a normal girl and have a good feel around vent area then compare to your poorly girl.
Good luck and keep us posted!

[Alby]

I couldnt get tio the plot today because of work  so O H plodded up the Bridle Path with the dreaded bin bag to hand  opened the house and was greeted by ALL the girls mobbing her for the breakfast treat !!!  My poorly girl had made a miraculous recovery and bashed and battered her way to any food that was presented to them     

  Temp was normal not lethargic in the least and after feeding was desperate to get out to forage !!!

  her vent feathers are a bit messy, but, as she sleeps in the nest box , as do 3 others, she does sleep in her poo    im sure we can break this habit as soon as they learn to roost on the bars.

   SO good news 

    Looks like you could be right Foxy    Thanks for all you,re help , vits and worming this weekends job

             Alby

[poultrygeist]

Good news Alby. Remember, if you're using flubenvet, it's a 7 day course.

Enjoy 

Rob

[Alby]

Just a picture of the fraud  






   Scruffy but WELL !!!

   Alby

[Foxy]

What a little madam! Glad shes well though!