[Kym503]

Hi.  I have an ex free range hen (from one of those very large farms that dispose of them at the age of 18 months).  She's now 2 1/2 to 3 years old.

The last 2 days she's been off colour.  Stayed in the hen coop, seems to be huddled up for want of a better word.  I've checked she's not egg bound.  She eats when I feed her by hand and I've placed fresh water next to her which she has drunk.  Last night she perked up a little and I took her onto the grass and she came to life to eat freshly dug up worms.

She has pooed OK (looks normal) but she does appear tired.  Is she just old or is there something very wrong with her do you think?

Kym

[Aunt Sally]

It could be loads sof things Kym !  From a gut infection or worms through to egg peritonitis.  Not possible for us to say. 

I took one of my hens to the vet this week as she was as you have said.  It turned out to be a gut infection rather than peritonitis so I was pleased.