[bygrace]

I've had my 4 girls for about 10 days now. One just hasn't settled in. She's a POL warren, but without a fully developed comb. She rarely eats, never struts around and just mopes in the corner with her tail down. I've isolated her for the past 3 days to try and coax her to eat - tried grinding food small, and cooked some angel hair pasta. The only thing she seems interested in is the occasional earthworm which she half heartedly picks at. She is drinking well though. Her crop is empty and I've had a feel for an egg (though I don't really know what I'm feeling for or how far up I should go!)

I've spoken with the breeder who suspects Mareks (he said the chicks are all vaccinated before he gets them but because of current spray methodology sometimes the odd one or two get insufficient dose). Granted, she's pretty unsteady on her feet and topples if I move her to one side, but then she hasn't eated much in close to a week.

The breeder suggests I take her back and get another - so I know what will happen to her! I don't really want to start going to the vet unless I have to - but this girl hasn't really been with it since I had her.

What does anyone think??

[Lewjam]

I would take her back and swop her....

Unfortunatly if it does have somthing nasty, the breeder will know when he sees it, and being put down may be the best thing for her...

[bygrace]

Thanks Lewjam - I've now returned her, and no doubt by now she's in chicken heaven. I got quite fond of her while giving her tlc and trying to coax her to eat 

New girlie is in the catbox waiting to be introduced after dark tonight.

Meanwhile I'm scrubbing everything just in case!
BG

[Lewjam]

Unfortunately some times kindness isn’t the best things for hens in that state - certain diseases are getting more prevalent as the symptoms get treated by back yard keepers.  In the past they would be culled and the spread stop, now they can survive through mis placed love long enough to spread it to other healthy birds!

Its sad when it happens but some times the hard decisions are the best!