Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Sprouts on October 07, 2013, 19:03

Title: Poorly hen advice please
Post by: Sprouts on October 07, 2013, 19:03

One of our hens has become very lethargic and is not at all well. Her wattle is very pale and pupils are dilated she has no energy but is eating and drinking. The other two hens are perfectly OK. There are no signs of mites etc but we have dusted her anyway.Her wings are pointing down as if she hasn't got the energy to lift them Most of the day she just sits and finds it difficult to get up. Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks

Kevin

Title: Re: Poorly hen advice please
Post by: cbv8 on October 07, 2013, 20:17

Hi Kevin,
Not doubting you for one minute  :blush: but i would recheck for red mite in your coop i thought i had very little of the ble*ders that is until i checked under the bedding and on the ends of the perches etc etc  :ohmy: see my posts earlier good luck  ;)

Title: Re: Poorly hen advice please
Post by: barley on October 07, 2013, 21:07

she possibly may be coming into moult - they go very quite before and during moult

if she's eating and drinking it sounds like it could be something like mites or moult but I am not an expert

ANHBC on here is brilliant with advice I'm sure she will answer you if she sees this  ;)

Title: Re: Poorly hen advice please
Post by: Sassy on October 08, 2013, 08:55

CBV8 is right that you should check - red mites do not live on the bird only feed off them. They hide in cracks and crevices. Also the moult does take  lot out of them :)

Title: Re: Poorly hen advice please
Post by: ANHBUC on October 08, 2013, 16:11

I agree with what everyone else has said and double check for red mite.  Either check the ends, underneath perches and any crevices with a piece of white paper which will have the tell tale signs of blood if they are present.  The other check is to check your birds legs after dark, especially the one that has the pale wattles.

What breed are they and what age are they Sprouts? 

I would also give her a good check over for any lumps or bumps that should not be there.

Title: Re: Poorly hen advice please
Post by: Sprouts on October 08, 2013, 18:01

Thanks for the replies folks but unfortunately she passed away this morning  :(

Title: Re: Poorly hen advice please
Post by: barley on October 08, 2013, 21:32

very sorry to hear that xx

Title: Re: Poorly hen advice please
Post by: ANHBUC on October 08, 2013, 22:35

Sorry to hear that Sprouts.   :( 

You will still need to check for red mites as you don't want to lose any more.  Also do the check for lumps and bumps, it could have been a growth/tumour.

Title: Re: Poorly hen advice please
Post by: Sassy on October 09, 2013, 10:12

Sorry to hear about your hen :(