3 yo hen wont open left eye and neck is drooping - WITH VIDEO

[Nonnie195]

I already have her in the "maternity ward." She has been there since Saturday because I read that the other hens could bother her. Also, the nesting box she was in is about 18 inches off the ground and I read somewhere that it did not need to be more than 12. I also noticed that when she drinks, she sometimes really shakes her head and makes a soft sound like the water went up her nose. She eats and drinks while sitting on the eggs because she won't eat or drink otherwise. I was told that I should move the food and water and that she would get up and eat, drink, and poop, but after almost 2 days, she never got up, so I intervened. Now she is eating and drinking a little as long as it is next to the nest, and she poops when I pick her up and take her out of the "maternity ward". Today was the first day that she did not try to get back in the nesting boxes and she ran outside. After a few minutes outside, I had to pick her up and put her back in the maternity ward because I was late for a meeting. She went right to the eggs and got back on them.

 

[tamtam84]

I had to do the same thing with a broody hen last spring. She wouldn't move for days, so I had to bring the food to her. She got so skinny and I was really worried, but she bounced back well. They act so strange when they are sitting on eggs!

 

[CasadasHens]

I have had a couple of broodies who would not eat unless the food was put right in front of them, wish I could get given breakfast in bed!