Ok, that's really helpful thanks.
So they've got all their new feathers in and have done for several months; it is now coming into spring; your other same breed hen is not laying yet but is appearing to be well...hmmmm. It may be that after the winter break, her reproductive tract has started to get going again but is having problems. I am really just guessing. You could also try a warm Epsom salt bath if you think she might be egg bound.
Give her the calcium in whichever way you can, if it's liquid, yes you can syringe or try mixing with a little yogurt and oats if you have difficulty getting it down her, if it's a tablet just pop it down her throat. Report back in a few days.
I always find that a through physical examination of any sick bird helps to rule out things, working through like a checklist for mites/lice etc, maggots, crop, injury, egg binding, ascites, vent problems, etc etc. As well as sitting and observing their behaviour closely. It really is a process of elimination when a chicken appears sick. Sherlock style!
So they've got all their new feathers in and have done for several months; it is now coming into spring; your other same breed hen is not laying yet but is appearing to be well...hmmmm. It may be that after the winter break, her reproductive tract has started to get going again but is having problems. I am really just guessing. You could also try a warm Epsom salt bath if you think she might be egg bound.
Give her the calcium in whichever way you can, if it's liquid, yes you can syringe or try mixing with a little yogurt and oats if you have difficulty getting it down her, if it's a tablet just pop it down her throat. Report back in a few days.
I always find that a through physical examination of any sick bird helps to rule out things, working through like a checklist for mites/lice etc, maggots, crop, injury, egg binding, ascites, vent problems, etc etc. As well as sitting and observing their behaviour closely. It really is a process of elimination when a chicken appears sick. Sherlock style!
