[milliebecks]

Anyone know anything about Layers Cramp (is it treatable, how, why does it happen?)
I read something about it in an old book, but it wasn't very helpful. The symptoms fit a rather sad chook I have at the moment. She's looking generally sorry for herself and moving awkwardly on her haunches (If chickens have haunches?) She's at (or should be at) POL, but hasn't laid yet. Was fit and happy yesterday morning, but quite sorry for herself by mid afternoon.
Any ideas?

[babe]

is she eating, drinking pooping ok?

[milliebecks]

Hard to tell. I've put her in the broody ark with the water inside the house. The food is just outside the pop hole and she has moved to sit in the sun in the doorway - so hopefully she'll take some food.

[Foxy]

Was wondering whether she has a egg in there and having trouble passing it. A lot of my POLs have started laying this week. Sometimes you can feel it and the hen looks like its" waddling" with her rear end quite low. I had this with one of my girls recently.
This is quite a useful link and has some treatment tips. Probably be extra careful in handling just in case it is as sometimes the egg can break inside.

http://www.pekinbantams.com/egg_bound.asp

Aunty I was wondering if some info on egg bound hens would be useful in your poultry section? Or is it there and I couldn't find it?I would imagine this could be common this time of year. Just a thought.

[milliebecks]

I did think of that and check - externally at least. Her pelvic bones have certainly widened, so I think she will lay soon and will keep an eye on her as I wouldn't rule it out.
As it is, she is now up and about again and looking disgruntled only because she has been separated from her mates! She has eaten some corn, is standing and moving with no trouble, and her tail is up again. What on earth could it have been? Is she just an attention seeking malingerer? :?

[milliebecks]

Just an update - if anyone is interested

Daisy is now (fingers crossed) back to her normal self and reunited with her mates. Haven't a clue what caused her problem! I did find a soft shelled egg in one of the nest boxes ...... and she was closest to it at the time (could almost convince myself she had a guilty expression :roll: ), but it looked more like a bantam egg ......

At least she's well again