[janiejakemum]

Hi

I dont know if anyone can offer any advice but my dad has asked me to put on a thread becasue he has a poorly hen.

It started yesturday when she wasnt keen on coming out in the morning, he has given her some water and got her to eat a bit but she is lethargic and her crop and wattle are pale. She is much the same today.

About 4 days ago dad found a broken egg in one of the boxes and he is now wondering if this was from her and maybe a clue as to what's going on.

Dad only has 4 hens and this is the smallest of them.

Do you think the broken egg is an indicator of what might be the problem, how do we know if she has an impacted crop? would he know by feeling it?

Other than her being very lethargic and droopy he cant see anything obvious wrong.

Can you offer any help

Thanks for reading

[woodburner]

Did it look like it was laid broken? Could be that a bit is still stuck inside her. Only one way I can think of to find out/get it out, and it's not for the squeamish.  :oops:
An impacted crop, will make her breath STINK, and can be felt as a hard ball near the base of her neck. This can often be full while eating but usually goes down at night, or if not eating, so if you can still feel it, it's probably impacted. Not quite sure what you do if it is.  I've seen a few methods described but never needed to try any of them.

[janiejakemum]

Thanks for your help, i'll pass that all over to my dad.  I'll give you an update when i get one.

Many thanks

[richyrich7]

I have a similar problem too on this thread http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=20575 you might find something useful there.  :?:

[janiejakemum]

Dad called earlier today to say she'd laid an egg thats looks normal and has perked up a bit.

We'll see how she is tomorrow but fingers crossed.

Thanks for all your help

[janiejakemum]

Thanks for all your help, she seems to have perked up fine now so dont really know what that was all about - no funny eggs or anything.

Thanks again