[sneezer]

Hi I have just let my rescue hens out, and one of them is just sitting hunched up and she keeps closing her eyes, she has puffed her feathers up, not looking well at all. Is there any basic things I should check for?only had her 2 weeks up till now been fine.

[Sharonx]

Hi - i hope I am giving ou the right advice here. I used to have chickens a couple of years ago, and mine all did this in the sun, they made little purring noises and sometimes sprayed one wing out. They were all just very happy and contented. It sounds like yours are doing the same. I hope this is all it is. Try picking her up and putting her back down to see if she still does it. Hope all is ok 

[sneezer]

not sure because she has not done this before, usually when I let them out they start digging and following me, she has just gone back in the run, she is not making any of the normal contented sounds

[Sharonx]

Has she laid? Maybe she is egg bound? Or sometimes mine acted a bit strange when they laid eggs without shells. They would then eventually pass it and get straight back to normal after.

[sneezer]

Took her to the vet in the end someone who also keeps chickens, he gave her anti-biotics and some other treatment for a week, she didn't move at all throughout the examination, which is not a good sign, she has since put her self to bed and now it's fingers crossed. 

[joyfull]

unfortunatly some exbatts are so traumatised by the treatment that they have recieved and can die pretty quick after release, so all I can say is I do hope she is ok and fingers crossed for you. If however the worst happens you can take some comfort that she had at least 2 weeks of freedom seeing how all chickens should live. You have done the right thing by getting her treatment quickly xx

[Sharonx]

I hope she picks up. I will keep my fingers crossed for you, let us know how she is tomorrow.

[sneezer]

Great news!! I feared the worse when letting them out this morning but she is fine, back in charge and vocal!!!  There was what i think a shell less egg in her nest box (where she sleeps) and also as I opened them up they were all munching on what again looked like the white of an egg.  She produced this at the vets when she was being probed and the vet said it was diarreah but I thought it looked like egg white, well she seems chirpy enough thanks for all your kind words!

[Sharonx]

Excellent news! Really pleased for you! (& her) 

[mad chicken]

hope she picks up soon