Don't know what to do 7 month old silkie hen won't get up

[deidreschultz]

Not sure what is going on. My 7 month old silkie hen isn't getting up. I felt her crop yesterday is was soft, but its hard today about the size of a golf ball. Will check in the AM to see if it has emptied. We noticed monday nite she was sitting on the floor about where she lays her eggs. Just thought she was layin an egg, and then on Tuesday my husband said he thought he saw her outside (we also have a silkie rooster so not totally sure it was her). When I got home Tuesday PM still on the floor. She had laid an egg though, but not sitting on it. Her tail is up and when I fiddle with her she will peck me. She doesn't look sick, but it's not normal for her not to go outside. Got s/o going to store now for ACV,poly vitamins w/o iron and metamucil just in case I need them. Any Ideas or suggestions? I'm very worried about her. She has been totally normal up till now.

 

[sourland]

It sounds as if she has gone broody.

 

[deidreschultz]

There's no egg. Matter fact yesterday she was sitting in middle of the floor, and her egg was like 6 inches away from her. How long do they normally do this, and do they get broody this young. I think that would be way exciting if I can get her to do it with an egg. lol

 

[sourland]

To begin they don't need an egg to go broody. She's not too young to be broody, and they generally set the 21 day incubation period, but some refuse to stop voluntarily. Form a nest with a bowl like depression where she generally lays. Add some eggs and place her on them. She's a silky - she'll get the message.

 

[deidreschultz]

Great. Thanks for the info. Hopefully that's all it is. I read somewhere that you shouldn't hatch eggs until after the chicken turns a yr. That the chicks would be weak, and that you'd probably lose alot. Is this true.

 

[sourland]

As long as the eggs are not tiny 'pullet' eggs, they should hatch fine.

 

[deidreschultz]

Ok her little crop was still full. I brought her in the house and I'm gonna try the bread soaked in oil,electrolytes, and vitamin e. I saw another thread about the empacted crop. I'll go back and read it, and hopefully she'll be ok.