ALABAMA!!

[Jotaylor]

Help Friends!!! One of our hens is acting very strange. She is not moving around a lot and shakes her head alot. She looks like she is falling asleep on her feet. She is eating but seems to pant even tho it hasn't been to hot here today. She is also in the next box and when I open it, her face (comb and the ear area, where you see the red skin) is white and then I can actually watch it turn red after I open the coop door. We have only had our flock since January so this is a first chicken illness for us. Any suggestions on what it might be?

 

[Hilda the Hen]

Thanks Chirp! I'll need it

 

[Orps]

Help Friends!!! One of our hens is acting very strange. She is not moving around a lot and shakes her head alot. She looks like she is falling asleep on her feet. She is eating but seems to pant even tho it hasn't been to hot here today. She is also in the next box and when I open it, her face (comb and the ear area, where you see the red skin) is white and then I can actually watch it turn red after I open the coop door. We have only had our flock since January so this is a first chicken illness for us. Any suggestions on what it might be?

Not an expert by any means and I'm really just guessing but the two thing that come to mind is egg bound or liver problem

Does her poop look normal? Is she laying?

 

[Razadia]

Thanks Raz!! Very informative. My daughter and I now have some "crafts" to make

No problem. I'm always happy to help when I can.

 

[Orps]

I have 4 production reds, 14 weeks. They have been outside only for a little over a month. The past couple of days I've noticed they are spending more time in their coop. Is this normal? There is nothing in there for them, all their food and water is outside. They seem healthy and happy. Are they possibly bored or lazy? The only thing I can think of is its cooler in their, but this morning when I let them out, they ate a little and within an hour are back in the coop.

did you ever figure out if Hilda is a boy?

 

[Jotaylor]

Not an expert by any means and I'm really just guessing but the two thing that come to mind is egg bound or liver problem

Does her poop look normal? Is she laying?

I thought she might lay an egg but never did, she did eat one that was in the nest box, not unusual I know but we haven't had a problem with that yet. I haven't seen her poop yet but will try to get a check on that.

 

[Hilda the Hen]

You

did you ever figure out if Hilda is a boy?

You remembered!! I'm impressed

Actually no, I still can't tell. "Her" comb and wattle haven't changed, still a pinkish color and hasn't gotten any bigger. I'm just waiting for a crow or an egg. I mean I should be able to tell by now, right? Haha.

 

[chirpingcricket]

Not an expert by any means and I'm really just guessing but the two thing that come to mind is egg bound or liver problem

Does her poop look normal? Is she laying?

Hey Jo, how old is your hen?

This next question is not meant to upset you, but. . .do you know for sure it's a hen? Roos will often blanch, then go red/purple when the hormones kick in. . .and they want to do business.

Just trying to cover as much possible.

Well ventilated? Well hydrated? Have you been able to look at the poo? Check for worms? Is the poo green? Can you look around the vent to see if their is any yellow/yolk like drainage?

Can you keep the coop door open or move her (might want to isolate her just the same) so she can have free/moving air? Could be a respiratory issue. Can you here any wheezing?

Has she been foraging, free range and/or have you seen her eat wiggle/red worms/earth worms?
Don't want to scare you, but might be a good time to read up on Gape Worm. They get it from the earthworms. Has she been or do you worm them, if so how often? Might be a bit early for that question, but would help to know.

Have you posted on the Emergency forum? Lots of good folks around their too, who seem always available. These are some of the questions that you may want to have a reply ready, should I miss your reply.

I know it's a lot of questions, but the additional info is most helpful.
Let us know.

 

[chirpingcricket]

No problem. I'm always happy to help when I can.

Thanks Raz, I wasn't able to stop just then and look up the thread for her. Great sight!

Hilda, about 2 + months ago or so, I actually took a bunch of old CD's and hung them all around the coops. Their was 1 hawk in particular, who had a specific fly zone that I have been able to stop it so far by hanging those CD's. I made sure to hang them at different levels from the trees.

It kinda looks like a disco tech during the day when the wind blows a little and the sun shines off of the CD's. Like someone with a flash light spinning around in circles. heehee Even our roos and hens will duck when the reflection catches their eye. It is supposed to "mess up" the hawks visual flight field, distracts from it's target. This has Really seemed to help so far!!!

Besides that, DH and I will sit out their in the evenings and weekends and watch the reflections spinning/darting ftom the CD's

.

Just thought I would share that little tidbit. Now, I just wish I had a few more CD's, I would put them around our garden. Hmmmm, I wonder if DH would miss a few more. . .

Take care.

 

[Orps]

Just candled 7 silkie eggs. I think I should be able to see something at 5 days but I only see blood vessel in 1 egg.

Finger crossed the chicks are late developers. Will candle again in 5 days. Hopefully with better results.