Entertaining an Isolated Chicken

[Lorielus]

Hi all,

Currently one of my chickens (Bo) has egg peritonitis (non-septic). On the vet's advice, she's being kept indoors for the next few days (currently in a big box in the bathroom) and getting oral antibiotics and an antinflammatory.

She does seem a bit more alert already though still clearly uncomfortable with the swollen belly, but she's eating and drinking so I'm cautiously optimistic.

My concern is really boredom at this point - given she has no fellow chicken company and is immobile, should I be doing anything to keep her from boredom, or is it a matter of she'll be quite happy just relaxing and snoozing on and off given she's ill?

Many thanks as always for any advice!

 

[Cluck-a-lot]

Hi, I would be worried if I had the same problem with one of my birds. I am no expert and can only share with you what I would do myself given the same circumstances. I think if she looked happier on her own, leave her be to recuperate. Or, if she acts pensive, and clearly being isolated isn’t helping her to heal .. is there any way you could put wire on the side of the box so she could look out at something? Even if it’s you doing house work! I know some of my birds would be happier on their own, and some would get anxious and fret, happier seeing something going on around them.

 

[Lorielus]

Thanks a lot - is there certain body language I should be looking for to tell if she's pensive? She's seems alert and calm, but doesn't seem bothered by being in the box so far (other than when I'm giving her drugs anyway!).

 

[Cluck-a-lot]

Hi, if she’s not obviously fidgeting about looking to get up and out...which your hen obviously isn’t; then she would be considered happy to me.

I do so hope that Bo recovers well. With drugs she is bound to be woozy surely, poor wee thing. She is lucky to have such a caring mother as you are!

 

[Lorielus]

Thanks again, I really appreciate it (though I'm a chicken father!). Given she's not moving around too much as well, although I've changing the towel under her twice a day she's bound to get bit messy so she'll be getting her first ever human bath tomorrow, that will be an adventure I'm sure!

 

[Cluck-a-lot]

Haha, I am sorry, whatever made me assume you are a mother I wonder?
Good luck with the bathing...I shall keep an eye out to see how you fare with her.