Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: leebou on June 12, 2009, 20:17

Title: help for a sad lethargic hen
Post by: leebou on June 12, 2009, 20:17

Hi all
Well i thought things were going well the girls have been laying for 6 weeks now and no problems.until now......This week i have noticed one on the girls is very lethargic always out last not really interested that much in her food(although she does eat) hangs her head in a slouchy sort of way and keeps a way from the others.I dont think shes laying either.Her feathers are in good condition as is her comb.Any ideas what this could be im quite worried for her what can i do.
Thanks for reading
Lee

Title: Re: help for a sad lethargic hen
Post by: elle on June 12, 2009, 22:13

hi, a few years ago i kept hens and i had one which showed the same signs as yours, very lethargic and she would go to lay but produce no eggs, i eventually realised that she was egg bound ( ie still making the eggs but unable to lay them,) unfortunately by the time i discovered the problem it was too late to help her and she died. her body was extremely heavy as it was full of unlayed eggs. hopefully, if this is the problem with your hen you will have detected the problem early enough to help her, i'm sorry that i do not know the way to treat her but i'm sure that there will be some advise on line. good look with your hen. if you cant find a treatment you could try a warm water bath and gentle massage. hope this helps, regards elle.

Title: Re: help for a sad lethargic hen
Post by: elle on June 14, 2009, 18:49

Hi Lee, please can you tell me how your poorly chicken is?  regards elle.

Title: Re: help for a sad lethargic hen
Post by: gcb on June 14, 2009, 22:10

Could she have laid some soft shelled eggs? This knocks one of my girls off her stride for several days when she does this.
geoff