[debsiwood]

Thats brilliant thank you.

Her comb has always remained healthy and full of colour which the vet said is good, so maybe she is still laying and i just can't catch her doing it.

When I bought the birds, they were sold as fully vaccinated. And the place has a really good reputation.

Do I get the chickens vaccinated yearly? The vet never mentioned anything.

I am taking her back nexted week to be checked over. She is back on her food, feeding all the time (which is a relief).

The vet said if she is still having runny poos by the end of her course of meds, she can be given something else to try.

She is definately back on track, as when she sees me coming with the towel, she runs like crazy.

Thanks for the info 

[debsiwood]

I am a novice at chicken keeping and until I move to the country won't be breeding hens anytime soon.

So I am curious to know, when you said Dotty was broody and had 9 week old chicks, does that mean she shouldn't be laying any eggs until her chicks leave her? and at what age does she stop caring for them?

I would love to breed them but at the moment haven't got the room.

Hopefully we will move soon and get a bigger garden and I will be able to get more. Not to breed though as until my kids flee the nest we can't move to the country which is defo on my bucket list  So unfortunately cockerels are not an option 

[ANHBUC]

It does sound as if she could still be laying so you will have to be careful if the vet has said anything about an egg withdrawal period. 

Usually Dotty has left her chicks (which are nearly the same size as her now) before she starts laying again.  I tried to put her in with the main flock tonight but she did get bullied so I put her back with her chicks.  The problem is she should be eating layers pellets to help with the production of the egg shell and her chicks are on growers to help their growth.  Normally she doesn't start to lay until around 12 weeks after the chicks hatch.  It must be with it being Spring that she is early.  I will put her in her own coop and run at the weekend to separate her from the chicks before reintroducing her back into the flock.

We are not allowed cockerels due to the noise but they manage to breed before they get too noisey.  That is how I have managed to get the next generation without keeping a cockerel.   

[debsiwood]

hi

unfortunately Henry has another prolapse. She prolapsed a bit 2 weeks ago and I separated her, but it went back

 in on its own and she was back with her flock within a day or two. But this one was quite a large prolapse.
 
I have separated her again and she is leaking a little bit but I put the prolapse back in and is holding so far.

I rang the vet and she said basically she can stitch her back in but it will likely keep happening so my next

 question is what would you do? Does anyone have any advice. I don't want to get her put down as she is still

 eating and drinking, she is growing her new feathers and is looking quite healthy, BUT I don't want to be cruel.

Is this something that I can keep going. I don't mind taking her in and smothering her in vaseline and preparation

 H once in a while to make her comfortable. But I also don't want her to suffer either.

Is this something that she will eventually get over? Any advice is welcome.

thanks
debs

[ANHBUC]

   Sorry I have never had to deal with a prolapse but I have read of plenty of people who have managed to control/cure the prolapse.  I wonder if she is still laying and that is why it is continuing to happen.  You could ask your vet for something to stop the laying, I have read of other members vets prescribing something for that.  Then if the prolapse is stitched hopefully it will hold. 

I hope other members who have had experience will add how they would deal with the prolapse.   

[joyfull]

get your vet to contact the BHWT (details can be found here )who have successfully conducted trials of giving hens an implant to prevent them from laying again in cases like yours. It may be quite expensive as these implants come in packs of 2 and your vet would have to purchase both.

[debsiwood]

i have had Henry living with us in the livingroom for about 2 weeks so she hasn't laid yet so I am not sure how she will go.
Currently I am TRYING to introduce her back to the flock. Very difficult!! She is kicking off as she is terrified of the other hens so I have her now in a pen along side the others and she is not happy.
Its not as comfortable as my sofa.
She still is leaking a cream in colour watery substance from her back end and she had flatulence. Not sure if this is normal But she keeps getting messy around her backside.
She has now got some lovely feathers but still has a way to go.
She is eating and drinking and appears happy.
The whole flock has been treated and today we can start collecting the eggs again. 
Just have to keep cleaning her up, but other than that all is well. (for now)
xx

[ANHBUC]

Just give her layers pellets and avoid any treats.  She will not like being put outside after being top hen with you but you are doing the right thing ready for reintroduction.  You could put one of your other hens in with her so she has a buddy before she goes back full time.